My 10* NBA Finale is on the Den Nuggets at 10:35 ET.

Here's what I wrote yesterday in taking the Jazz over the Nuggets as my NBA Game of the Week. "I don't understand Denver's Malone sitting Jokic, Murray and Millsap, so won't try to. Who will he play here? Here's what I know. With Sunday's loss at Portland, the Nuggets are 1-9 SU on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1." The Jazz won 118-108, as the Nuggets fell to 1-10 SU  on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1.

It appeared that Denver had squandered an opportunity to nail down the No. 2 seed by losing its last two games but the Nuggets got some improbable help from Oklahoma City. The Thunder trailed the Rockets at home by 14 points with 9:08 remaining but stunned Houston 112-111, with Paul George delivering the final blow, nailing the game-winning three-pointer with 1.8 seconds left.

The Rockets have finished the regular season 53-29, meaning the 53-28 Nuggets can claim the No. 2 seed by beating the 36-45 Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Pepsi Center. "We haven't rested anybody in four years," head coach Michael Malone told reporters. "We had a crazy schedule, we had six games in nine nights, it was unbelievably hard, and all those guys were nursing injuries. We're playing everybody tonight. For people in Houston and people in Denver to be thinking that we are resting people because we intentionally lost so we could avoid a matchup is very wrong, very erroneous reporting." The Nuggets didn't sit anybody on Tuesday but Malone used a lot of his bench against the Jazz. They were within four points midway through the fourth period but the Jazz went on a 16-2 run to put it away. As for Jokic, who lead the team in scoring (19.9), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3), he's played only 16 minutes over the last two games in the hope he will be fresh for the Denver Nuggets' first playoff appearance in six years. The strategy might have paid off in a big way, thanks to some help from the Oklahoma City Thunder (see above).

I can't imagine the Nuggets going "all-out" here with the No. 2 seed just a win away. Ironically, this marks the second straight season that these two teams wrap up the regular season against each other. Last year's game was a play-in game for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, after Denver went on a tear to tie Minnesota in the standings. However, the Timberwolves prevailed in overtime in that game, leaving the Nuggets at home for the postseason. The Timberwolves have been decent at home this season (25-16 at Target Center) but Minnesota comes into Denver having gone just 11-29 away from home. The Nuggets have "something to play for" and are 33-7 at home this season, including 25-4 in their last 29. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

The 53-27 Denver Nuggets lost out on their battle with the Golden St Warriors for the West's top-seed but with two games to go in the regular season, now find themselves engaged in a tight battle for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with the 53-28 Houston Rockets. The Nuggets dropped a 115-108 decision to the host Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in game in which they rested Jokic, Murray and Millsap. "They're tired. It's been a long season," head coach Michael Malone told reporters. "Neither of those guys -- Jamal, Paul or Nikola has sat out one game this year due to rest or load management." Denver seems more focused on entering the postseason fresh, rather than securing the No. 2 see. They may just get their 'wish.'

Utah was making a run at No. 4 seed Portland for homecourt advantage in the probable first-round series between the teams but fell two games back with two to play after suffering a dreadful 113-109 loss to the host Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Utah head coach Quin Snyder was frustrated  after Sunday's loss, as a depleted Lakers' squad outplayed and outworked his team.  "Regardless of where you're seeded, you have to play well and play a certain way to win," Snyder told reporters afterward. "We've won some games, so sometimes that masks some things we weren't doing well. Everyone has been talking about the winning streak, but that doesn't mean anything."The 49-31 Jazz are unlikely to catch Portland but expect an outstanding effort in this, the team's home finale of the regular season.

I don't understand Malone sitting Jokic, Murray and Millsap, so won't try to. Who will he play here? Here's what I know. With Sunday's loss at Portland, the Nuggets are 1-9 SU on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. The Jazz are off an embarrassing loss at the Lakers on Sunday, a contest in which they had taken a 12-1 SU run into. What's more, Utah has won each of the Nuggets' last eight visits to Salt Lake City. Gotta love Utah at this price!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Run-Line Rout is on the NY Mets at 7:10 ET.

The NY Mets have opened 6-3 and begin MLB's third week by hosting the 5-3 Minnesota Twins in a two-game interleague series. Both teams played Sunday, with the Mets losing the rubber match against Washington when their pitchers issued 12 walks in a 12-9 setback. Michael Conforto homered for the second straight contest on Sunday with a three-run HR in the ninth inning, giving him six multi-hit performances in his last eight games. Minnesota also lost its rubber match of a series 2-1 at Philly on Sunday, despite  Max Kepler's first career leadoff HR. The 26-year-old Kepler homered in all three games of the series and is 9-for-26 with six RBI and four runs scored during his six-game hitting streak (.346).

Tuesday's pitching matchup features Minnesota's Kyle Gibson (0-0, 9.64 ERA) and New York's Jacob deGrom (2-0, 0.00 ERA).  Gibson led Minnesota in ERA (3.62) and quality starts (18) last season, but so far, 2019 has been a disaster. He retired nine straight batters at one point in his first outing of 2019 but fell victim to a five-run fifth inning and exited after allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits in a no-decision at Kansas City on April 3 (Twins did win, 7-6). The Mets have elected to skip Jason Vargas' second turn through the rotation, guaranteeing that ace Jacob deGrom could pitch on normal rest. Shocking right? DeGrom has scattered just eight hits and issued two walks in 13 innings this season He had a career-high 14 strikeout performance in Wednesday, in a 6-4 victory at Miami. DeGrom has became the first pitcher since at least 1908 to throw back-to-back scoreless starts with 10-plus strikeouts and one or fewer walks.

DeGrom has never faced the Twins but he does own a 2.91 ERA in 18 interleague starts. What's more, he's looking to extend his major league record of allowing no more than three runs in 31 straight starts (you read that right!). DeGrom will take on a Minnesota team which was just 29-52 on the road in 2018 (-$2,415 vs the moneyline). Opposite deGrom will be Gibson, who is off a poor first start and in two career meetings vs the Mets, is 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA. Lay the 1 1/2 runs.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on the Por Blazers at 9:05 ET.

The Nuggets clinched the Northwest Division title with a 119-110 victory over the Trail Blazers on Friday and Sunday night  53-26 Denver will try for its SEVENTH straight over 50-29 Portland when they visit the Trail Blazers. Each team's playoff position is still to be decided, as Denver is two games behind first-place Golden State in the Western Conference with three to play and 1 1/2 games clear of Houston for the No. 2 seed. As for Portland, the Blazers are clinging to a one-game lead over Utah for fourth seed and home court advantage in the first round.

Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.2), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.4), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.2-4.2-4.9). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.7 and 8.6 PPG. Damian Lillard paces the team with 25.9 PGG (4.6 RPG & 6.9 APG)  but he's averaged only 18.3 in three contests against Denver this season after scoring 14 on Friday. Yes, Nurkic (15.6 & 10.4) is out for the season but Enes Kanter (12.8 & 8.0 in 21 games with the Blazers) has now scored 20 or more points in a career-high four straight games after reaching that total seven times previously this season.

Here's the key. Word is that McCollum (21.3) will play in this one for the first time since March 16 for Portland and that Denver is expected to rest Jokic, Murray and Millsap. Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

Orlando reached a low point on Jan 29, when a loss to OKC dropped the Magic 11 games under .500. However, the Magic have since gone 20-9 and Friday's 149-113 t home win over the Hawks gave them EIGHT wins in their last 10 and moved them into sixth place in the East (the Nets won last night, moving into a ie with Magic at 40-40 apiece!). The Magic are looking like the cream of the crop in a crowded race for the final three playoff spots in the Eastern Conference and are on the cusp of snapping a six-year postseason drought, needing  just one win to clinch a playoff berth. However, Sunday's game in Boston will be a tough one. The 48-32 Celtics need just one win (or an Indiana loss) to nail down the East's No. 4 seed, after crushing the Pacers 117-97 at Indiana on Friday.

Orlando is healthy coming down the stretch and the team's 42-18 first-quarter lead over the Hawks allowed the Magic to give most of their regulars an easy night, as the team secured its NINTH straight home win (Orlando's longest in-season streak in 10 years.). However, the Magic are just 15-24 SU on the road and face a Boston team which is 28-12 SU at home and is playing its final home game of the regular season. SIX players scored in double figures in Friday's rout of Indiana, including Gordon Hayward. He made all nine of his shots en route to 21 points and has averaged 1 6.4 points on 58.8 percent shooting over his last seven games. Boston has SIX players averaging in double digits, plus Smart (8.9) and Rozier (8.8) just miss.

The Magic have  won the first two meetings vs the Celtics this season (by a total of just five point) but DON'T expect the third time to be the 'charm.' Boston wins and clinches the No. 4 seed "with room to spare."

Good luck.,..Larry

My 9* play is on the Ind Pacers at 5:05 ET.

The Brooklyn Nets earned a dramatic win over the league-leading Bucks on Saturday in Milwaukee, ending the game on a 7-0 run  to win, 133-128. The 40-40  the Nets moved into a tie for sixth place in the Eastern Conference with Orlando, a half-game up on eighth-place Detroit and 1 1/2 ahead of Miami (currently on the outside looking in at the East's playoff picture). Brooklyn concludes a critical back-to-back set Sunday when the Nets visit the 47-33 Indiana Pacers, who will likely be the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Indiana needs to reassert itself after letting the Celtics shoot 52.2 percent from the floor in Friday's 117-97 loss, which allowed Boston to claim a 3-1 season series win and the first tiebreaker between the two teams. 

Brooklyn shares the same record as Orlando but the Nets won two of three meetings with the Magic to claim the head-to-head tiebreaker. Brooklyn is also a half-game ahead of the Detroit Pistons and beat them in two of three meetings to get the tiebreaker. As for teh Pacers, they now need to win their final two games and have Boston lose its last two to gain home court for the first round. Indiana can basically say "hello" to the 5th-seed. The Pacers won six straight from Feb 2-11 but are are 9-14 since, including going 3-8 in its last 11 games. Six of those losses are by single digits and Friday was the second-most points allowed in this slump.

However, Indiana has won NINE straight over Brooklyn (8-1 ATS), 12 of 14 and SEVEN straight at home since Dec 18, 2015. Meanwhile, Brooklyn is 3-10 ATS in the 2nd night of back-to-back games (played in Milwaukee last night). Pacers get this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NCAA Tourney Game of the Year is on Michigan State at 8:49 ET.

The Michigan State Spartans were the fifth overall seed in the tournamen t(one of four, No. 2 seeds) but wound up in the same bracket as Duke, the tourney's overall No. 1 seed. The Selection Committee's explanation was it was based on geographical considerations (anyone buying that?). However, the Spartans just "got to work" and last Sunday earned Tom Izzo's eighth trip to the Final Four with a one-point victory over Duke and freshman phenom Zion Williamson (not to mention Barrett, Reddish and Jones). The 32-6 Spartans will take on 30-6 Texas Tech (the East's No. 3 seed), which took out the West's No. 1 seed (Gonzaga), 75-69 last Saturday. Tech will be making the school's first-ever Final appearance, as will current head coach Chris Beard, who is a relative unknown among the four remaining coaches.

Texas Tech isn't a "Johnny Come Lately," as the Red Raiders lost in the Elite Eight to national champion Villanova last season. That said, Tech had some reloading to do. Guard Matt Mooney (11.0) is a transfer from South Dakota and the 6-8 Tariq Owens (8.9 & 5.8) is a St John's transfer. Both are contributing at what Beard said was an "All-Big 12" level. Mooney starts in a three-guard lineup which includes Culver  and Moretti. Culver leads the team in scoring (18.9), rebounding (6.4) and assist (3.7), while Moretti (11.6) is Tech's third double digit scorer. Owens is the team's best inside player and gets some help from the 6-8 Odiase (4.2 & 5.2). However, Tech wins with its defense, which comes in allowing 59.0 PPG (3rd) on 36.9% shooting (2nd).

Michigan State is led by junior PG Cassius Winston, the team leader in scoring (18.9 points) and assists (7.6). A key to MSU's success has also been the outside shooting of the team's two seniors, guard Matt McQuaid (9.8 PPG with 70 three-pointers) and 6-7 forward Kenny Goins (8.1 & 9.0 plus 56 three-pointers). Goins gets plenty of help up front, as he;'s joined by the 6-18 Ward (13.2 & 7.3), the 6-8 Tillman (10.1 & 7.3) and 6-6 freshman Henry. Since Tillman moved into the starting lineup 12 games ago, he's averaged 13.8 points and 8.1 rebounds, scoring a career-high 19 points twice (including against Duke). Henry has emerged as an important cog for the Spartans in the postseason, as he's averaged 10.2 PPG in the NCAA Tournament

Tech is a terrific defensive team (see above) but let's NOT forget Izzo teams always play excellent D, as well. This year's team allows 65.1 PPG (34th) on 37.9% (3rd-best in the nation!). MSU's frontcourt is VASTLY superior to Tech's. Winston has been excellent with the ball in the tournament, averaging 7.7 assists against 2.7 turnovers and he can be counted on to handle the trapping Texas Tech defense. Izzo says he is never worried what his junior captain will deliver. "Cassius is always Cassius," he said. Izzo's team advances to Monday night with a chance to earn that second NCAA title (no small deal!).

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the LA Clippers at 10:35 ET.

LBJ's first (last?) season in LA is coming to an end. LBJ (27.4-8.5-8.3) last played in a 129-115 home win over New Orleans but has been shut down for the rest of the season. LA beat Memphis 130-106 without him (Mar 31) but has opened April losing 119-103 at OKC and last night, 108-92 at home to the Warriors. The Lakers will play again tonight at Staples Center but as the road team in a contest with the Clippers. While the 35-44 Lakers will watch the postseason on TV, the 47-232 Clippers are in the playoffs and currently own the No. 6 seed (1 /2 games back of the 5th-seeded Jazz and 1 1/2 games up on the 7th-seeded Thunder). The Clippers enter this game off a 135-103 home beating at the hands of the Rockets.

For LA, it's not just LBJ who is missing from the lineup. I won't bother to list all the missing piece but rather note that Alex Caruso (7.6) was rewarded with his first start of the season Thursday. The second-year guard shot just 4 of 14 (nine points), after becoming the first player in team history with at least 23 points, six assists and four steals off the bench since steals became an official statistic in 1973-74 on March 29 vs Charlotte. Rookie forward Johnathan Williams (5.7 & 3.6) recorded 17 points and a season-high 13 rebounds versus Golden State in 27 minutes, which marked his second-most time of the season. Who are thees guys? 

Here's who the Clippers are. They are NOT a team which packed it in after trading Harris and his 20.9 PPG and 7.9 RPG (like so many thought).  According to Elias Sports Bureau, Lou Williams (20.2 points) and Montrezl Harrell (16.8) are the highest-scoring reserve duo in NBA history. The there is Landry Shamet, who was acquired from Philadelphia in February, who leads rookies in three-point field goal percentage at 41.9 percent (he has averaged 11.0 in 22 games with the Clippers). Let's not forget Danilo Gallinari, who is averaging 19.8 & 6.2 and has a career-high seven double-doubles this season. This year's effort comes after he suffered through a tough first season with the team, when he shot just 39.8 percent from the floor and saw action in only 21 games due to multiple injuries.

The Clippers entered Wednesday's game feeling good after winning EIGHT of their previous nine, as well as  13 of their previous 15,. However, Houston took that all away by entering the 4th quarter with a 102-73 advantage heading into the final quarter. The Clippers finish the regular season at Golden State on Sunday and against the Jazz on Wednesday in a contest that could decide fourth place in the Wet. However, that game would almost assuredly mean little if they can't take advantage of the lone 'soft spot' left on their schedule. That being, tonight's game with the Lakers. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Rout is on the Hou Rockets at 10:35 ET.

Many thought the Clippers were "throwing in the towel" when they moved key leading scorer Harris (20.9 & 7.9) at the trade deadline  However, as the 47-31 LA Clippers welcome the Rockets to Staples Center, they have won 11 of their last 13 games. The 50-28 Rockets also come in on a roll, as they've won 17 of their last 20 contests. Playoff seeding is front-and-center in this meeting, as the the Rockets are one-half game ahead of Portland for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Clippers are one-half game behind the fifth-seed Jazz.

Houston won 130-105 last night in Sacramento, as Harden (36.4-6.5-7.6) scored 36 points, while adding 10 assists. Eric Gordon () supplied a 20-point effort and some real good news was that Kenneth Faried returned from a three-game absence due to a knee issue to produce 12 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes. PG Paul (15.5 & 8.2 APG) joins Harden and Gordon to give Houston as good a guard trio as there is in the NBA but a healthy Faried is big news. He's averaging 13.5 & 8.8 in his 22 games and along with center Clint Capela (averaging career highs of 16.5 PPG and 12.6 RPG), give Houston a real frontcourt presence.

Gallinari (19.8 & 6.2) recorded 27 points and a season-best 15 rebounds in Sunday's 113-96 home victory over Memphis. The 30-year-old Gallinari has registered a career-high seven double-doubles this season, after suffering through a tough first season with the club, when he shot just 39.8 percent from the floor and saw action in only 21 games due to multiple injuries. Sixth-man Lou Williams scored 17 points against the Grizzlies and has recorded 15 or more in 20 of his last 21 contests, as he leads the team in scoring (20.3) and assist (5.3 APG)

The Clippers have beaten the Rockets in both previous meetings but both games were played in October, as Houston opened the season 1-5. Chris Paul will be motivated vs his ex-teammates plus Houston still has an outside shot at catching the Nuggets for the No. 2 seed in the West. Revenge (double, at that) works!

Good luck...Larry

The 46-32 Indiana Pacers are battling for the No. 4 seed in the first round of the playoffs with the Boston Celtics, who are also 46-32 but own the tiebreaker. The Pacers snapped a three-game slide in beating the Pistons 111-102 at home on Monday. The 39-38 Pistons, who are fighting for one of the final three spots in the East playoff bracket (currently own the No. 6 seed but are just a half-game up on the Nets, one game up on the Heat and 1 1/2 games clear of the Heat, who currently sit outside the playoff 'cut line'). Detroit now gets a chance for some "quick revenge," as the Pacers visit Little Caesars Arena tonight.

Indiana did not have a player reach 20 points on Monday but shot 54.5 percent from the floor and placed seven scorers in double figures, including reserve guard Aaron Holiday (5.6), who scored 10 points and handed out five assists in 25 minutes. Holiday was getting extra playing time in the absence of starting PG Darren Collison (11.4 & 6.1 APG), who remains day-to-day with a groin injury. The Pacers lost four straight games after leading scorer Victor Oladipo (18.8) suffered a ruptured quadriceps tendon in his right knee in late January but they got over the initial shock of losing him by posting a 9-3 record in February. However,  they're increasingly feeling his absence, particularly during crunch time. The playoff-bound Pacers finished March 4-10, including a 1-7 mark over the last eight games.The April 1 win was big but the Pacers need to avoid looking ahead to a home date with Boston on Friday.

Blake Griffin (24.7-7.7-5.5) missed his second consecutive game on Monday (knee) and his presence was missed in the paint on the defensive end (he's listed as questionable here). Center Andre Drummond (17.3 & 15.3) tried to make up for the loss of Griffin and collected 18 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and four steals in the loss. PG Jackson (15.5 & 4.2 APG) had 22 points and Wayne Ellington came up big with 26 points. Ellington has given Detroit an outside shooting threat, as he has averaged 11.8 in 23 games since joining Detroit.

I'd LOVE to see Griffin play here but either way, I'll take the Pistons. Detroit has won 11 straight at home (11-0 ATS), it's best run since it captured 16 straight during the 2005-06 season.Meanwhile, Indian limps in on a 10-game road losing streak and hardly can cover without winning SU with this pointspread. Detoit's the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the GS Warriors at 10:35 ET.

The Warriors won their third title in four years last season, while the Nuggets missed the Western Conference playoffs by one game. However, as those two teams meet tonight in Oakland, the Nuggets are 51-25 and the Warriors sit 52-24. It's a contest that could decide the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Denver had a chance to go into tonight's contest tied with Golden State but watched its offense fall apart in the second half, as it suffered a 95-90 home loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday. That same night, the Warriors were showing off just how good they can be in a 137-90 rout of the Charlotte Hornets.

Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.3), rebounding (10.9) and assists (7.4), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.2-4.1-4.8). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.6 and 8.5 PPG. However, Denver's offense has suddenly has disappeared,. as Denver is averaging 94.6 points in its last five games and has scored 90 or fewer in three of those contests (not surprisingly, all losses). "I don’t know," Nuggets power forward Paul Millsap told reporters when asked about the offensive funk. "If we don't figure it out going on this roadie, it's going to be tough to win. It's something we've got to look at, for sure, and try to nip it in the bud."

Sunday's Golden St victory came just two nights after a contentious overtime loss at Minnesota that left the team frustrated with the officiating. "Nights like tonight show our full potential," Warriors superstar Stephen Curry told reporters after Sunday's win. "It's obviously starting to get real with the countdown being what it is. It's a good feeling right now, so we have to keep it going." Curry (27.9-5.4-5.3), KD (26.6-6.6-5.8) and Thompson (22.1) lead an offense scoring 117.7 PPG (2nd) on 48.9% (1st), including 38.3% (3rd).

Golden St has been a money-burner since last season but this game should have a "playoff atmosphere." The Warriors' remaining schedule is not difficult, with home games against Cleveland and the Los Angeles Clippers plus road contests against three teams already assured of being lottery-bound, the Lakers, New Orleans and Memphis. A win here would be HUGE. The Nuggets broke through last Friday with a 115-105 win at OKC. However, that victory ended a stretch in which the Nuggets had gone 0-7 SU (1-6 ATS)  on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. Lay the points with Golden St.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

The 39-37 Detroit Pistons visit the Pacers on Monday, before hosting them back in Detroit on Wednesday. The Pistons were able to beat Portland 99-90 on Saturday, despite All-Star forward Blake Griffin sitting out to rest a sore knee. It was Detroit's 11th straight home win (11-0 ATS run!), its best run since it captured 16 straight during the 2005-06 season.The Pistons currently own the 6th-seed in the East, a half-game ahead of the Nets, one game up on the Heat and just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Magic, who are the 9th-seed. The 45-32 Pacers have dropped SEVEN of their last eight games to fall into fifth place in the East, after dropping a 121-116 decision at home to the Orlando Magic. "It's unacceptable," Indiana PG Darren Collison told reporters. "We can't lose a game like that, especially at home. Especially when everything is going our way most of the game. It's a tough loss for us but it was inexcusable on our part."

Detroit was held to 11 points in the first quarter and 31 in the first half against teh Blazers but got things together at both ends in the second half on Saturday for the 99-90 win. PG Reggie Jackson (15.4 & 4.2 APG) led the way with 28 points and center Andre Drummond (17.3 & 15.3) collected 22 points and 19 rebounds in the absence of Griffin (24.7-7.7-5.5), who is listed as day-to-day. If Grifffin sits, Detroit just may not have enough against Indiana. The Pacers lost four straight games after leading scorer Victor Oladipo (18.8) suffered a ruptured quadriceps tendon in his right knee in late January but they got over the initial shock of losing him by posting a 9-3 record in February. However,  they're increasingly feeling his absence, particularly during crunch time. The playoff-bound Pacers finished March 4-10, including a 1-7 mark over the last eight games.

Indiana's players and coaches collectively bemoaned a defensive effort that allowed 65 second-half points on Saturday. Prior to that loss, most of the damage had occurred on the road for the Pacers. Indiana checks in 28-10 SU at home this season and since Feb 1, has gone 10-3 SU at home (lost to the Warriors and the Magic, two times) and off that recent loss to Orlando, should be highly motivated here. Indiana and Boston have  the same record but currently, Boston owns the tiebreaker. With a game in Detroit on Wednesday (remember, the Piston s are on an 11-0 SU & ATS run at home), this game qualifies as a "must win." I'm laying the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the SA Spurs at 7:05 ET.

The 44-32 San Antonio Spurs have clinched a playoff berth for the 22nd straight season. A little history first, before getting to the game. The Spurs' playoff streak matches the league's longest run of postseason appearances, set by Syracuse/Philadelphia from 1950 to 1971. The Nationals made the playoffs 14 straight times (1950-63) before moving to Philadelphia after the 1962-63 season and becoming the 76ers. Philadelphia then advanced to the postseason eight straight times (1964-71).

However, San Antonio has plenty to play for over the next 11 days (regular season ends April 10), in the tightly-bunched Western Conference field. The Kings' 119-108 loss at Houston on Saturday locked up the playoff spot for the Spurs, who are in seventh place in the West but just 1 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for sixth and trail fifth-place Utah by two. San Antonio opened its current three-game homestand with a 116-110 victory over Cleveland on Thursday, its 11th win in 14 contests. Sacramento was the last remaining team in the West with a mathematical chance of catching the Spurs or Oklahoma City for a postseason berth but had no answer on Saturday, as James Harden scored 50 points for the Rockets.

The 37-39 Kings still have a chance to avoid a 13th straight losing season with a strong finish but don't expect them to add to their win total in this spot. The Spurs are 11-3 SU and 9-4-1 ATS over their last 14 overall plus come into this contest having won 12 of their last 13 at home. Speaking of home, the Spurs have won 11 straight at home over the Kings, a streak that dates back to 2012. The number is a little high but LAY IT!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Duke at 5:05 ET.

Top-seeded Duke (32-5) has squeezed by its last two opponents in the final possession and now takes on red-hot second seed Michigan State (31-6) in the East Region final at Washington D.C. The Blue Devils have survived UCF's game-winning shot in the second round and Virginia Tech’s attempt to tie in the final second Friday, in the Region semifinal (Tech missed three shots in the last 10 seconds!) . Meanwhile, Michigan State has taken a rather smooth path to this stage, with three double-digit victory margins in the tournament, including Friday night's 80-63 handling of third-seeded LSU.

Senior PG Cassius Winston (18.8 & 7.6 APG)  is averaging 18.7 points and seven assists in the tournament and MSU's frontcourt has terrific depth. There's the 6-9 Ward (13.4 & 6.8), the 6-8 Tillman (9.8 & 7.2) and the 6-7 Goins (9.1 & 9.0). What's more, Tom Izzo received career games from freshmen forwards Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown to beat LSU. Henry (6.0 & 3.9) registered career highs of 20 points along with six assists, while Brown chipped in 15 points, also a career high.

Duke freshman forward RJ Barrett (22.6-8.7-4.3) told reporters after recording 18 points and a career-high 11 assists Friday. “And we somehow find a way to keep winning at the end. It’s great and we’re not surprised by it, but we’ve just got to keep it up.” Blue Devils freshman phenom Zion Williamson  (22.7 & 7.6) scored 23 and added three blocks in the 75-73 victory over Virginia Tech. He is averaging 26.8 points in six games since returning from a knee sprain. However, head coach Mike Krzyzewski called PG Tre Jones’ (9.5-3.7-5.3) performance Friday “magnificent,” after the freshman PG registered season highs of 22 points and five made three-pointers while handing out eight assists with ZERO turnovers in 40 minutes. Freshman swingman Cam Reddish (13.6 points) was a late scratch Friday due to a knee injury and his status for Sunday is uncertain.

Here's the bottom line. Mich St is clearly playing better, as the Spartans have rolled in the Big Dance so far and come in on an EIGHT-game winning streak. Meanwhile, it's been 'Escape City' for Duke, a team many think is overrated. That said, Duke holds a 12-2 all-time record against Michigan State, including SEVEN straight victories since a 2005 NCAA Tournament win for the Spartans. Coach K 'owns' Tom Izzo!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Elite Eight Situational Stunner is on Virginia at 8:49 ET.

26-9 Purdue blew an 18-point lead in the Sweet 16 against Tennessee (99-94 in OT) but survived behind a career-high 27 points from Cline, a pair of tying free throws late in regulation by Edwards (29 points) and a sweet 15-of-31 performance from three-point range. The Boilermakers hope to end lengthy Final Four drought in the South Region Finals up against No. 1 seed Virginia. 32-3 Virginia has bounced back from last season's embarrassing upset against a 16th seed in its tournament opener, to reach the Elite 8, giving them a chance to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1984 (note: Purdue's last Final 4 was back in 1980).

Edwards (23.8) and Cline (12.1) are Purdue's lone double digit scorers and while the 7-3 Haarms is a huge figure, he averages just 9.5 & 5.5. Purdue has impressively shut down Old Dominion, routed defending champion Villanova and outlasted Tennessee in overtime, in the first three rounds of this event. Purdue has scored an average of 93 points in its last two wins, with Edwards averaging 32.3 points in the tournament.

Virginia has reached the Elite 8 by defeating Gardner-Webb, Oklahoma and Oregon (all seeded ninth or lower!). The Cavs are a perimeter oriented team, led by the trio of Hunter (15.1 & 5.1), Guy (14.9 & 4.4) and PG Jerome (13.0 & 5.3 APG). Guy entered the tourney as UVa's leading scorer but made just 8 of 38 shots (21.0%), including 3 of 26 on threes! The 6-9 Diakite is UVa's lone big man of note but he's averaged just a modest 7.3 & 4.2 on the season. However, he's scored 38 points and pulled down 29 rebounds in the three tourney games so far.

Guy has HUGELY underachieved so far and Hunter has been disappointing, as well (he has surpassed 16 points only once in his last six games). If those two 'click,' this will be  an easy UVa win. If not, Virginia has proven it can win with a defense allowing 54.8 PPG (1st) on 38.1% shooting (4th), including 28.1% on threes (2nd). This could be UVa's year.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

The 38-37 Detroit Pistons returned home off a 1-4 road trip to post a 115-98 win over the Magic on Thursday. The victory puts Detroit in sixth-place in the East's playoff picture but just 1 1/2 games clear of the playoff 'cut line' over ninth-place Orlando. The Pistons will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, who have won NINE of their last 10 contests, after rolling to a 118-98 triumph in Atlanta on Friday. 47-27 Portland resides in third place in the Western Conference, but just one-half game ahead of Houston.

The Blazers have relied on their dynamic backcourt duo of Lillard (26.3-4.6-6.8) and McCollum (21.3) all season, along with center Nurkic (15.6 & 10.4). However, Nurkic was just lost for the season due to a broken leg, while McCollum remains sidelined with a knee ailment (he's missed the last six, all Portland wins). "Obviously, CJ being out is a blow and Nurkic being out is a blow, but we haven't used it as a crutch or excuse," said Lillard. "We haven't put our heads down and pouted about it. We just kept working and kept going after it." Lillard scored 36 points against the Hawks and has registered FIVE 30-point performances in his last seven games. Portland is sure glad it signed Enes Kanter around the trade deadline, as he's averaging 10.8 & 7.1 in 17 games and those numbers will balloon with more playing time.

Much like Portland, Detroit has relied on a "Big Three." The Pistons trio consists of PF Griffin (24.7-7.7-5.5), center Drummond (17.3 & 15.4) and PG Jackson (15.2 & 4.2 APG). However, veteran guard Wayne Ellington has given Detroit an outside shooting threat, as he matched season bests of 25 points and seven 3-pointers in the win over Orlando. Ellington has averaged 11.3 in 21 games since joining Detroit and head coach Dwane Casey is thrilled with the production. "I was jumping up and down when I found out we had a chance to sign Wayne," Casey told reporters of a player who received a buyout from Phoenix after being acquired from Miami in February.

No doubt Portland is on a roll (see above), even without McCollum and Nurkic. However, the Blazers played last night while the rested Pistons are seeking an 11th straight home win (10-0 SU & ATS run!). It's Detroit's best run since it captured 16 straight during the 2005-06 season. The Pistons just lost at Portland (Mar 23) but only five points and the change of venue will make ALL the difference.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Elite Eight GAME OF THE YEAR is on Gonzaga at 6:0 ET.

29-6 Texas Tech has used its defense to advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight year. After holding Northern Kentucky to 57 poinst and Buffalo to 58 points in the opening week, the Red Raiders held Michigan to just 16 first-half points and a season low in points in a dominating 63-44 victory on Thursday night in the Sweet 16. Awaiting them will be 33-3 Gonzaga, the West's No. 1 seed. The Bulldogs avenged last year's loss to the Seminoles by beating fourth seed Florida State, 72-58, earlier on Thursday. Gonzaga leads the nation in scoring (88.2), field-goal percentage (52.8), scoring margin (23.6) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.76) and will be attempting to reach the Final Four for the second time in three years.

Sophomore guard Jarrett Culver, the Big 12 Player of the Year, leads the team in scoring (18.9), rebounding (6.4), assists (3.8) and steals (1.5) and had a team-high 22 points in the win over Michigan. Sophomore guard Davide Moretti is second in scoring (11.6) while shooting a team best 46.2 percent from three-point range and had 15 points. Matt Mooney, a 6-3 graduate transfer from South Dakota, is also averaging in double figures (10.9). 6-10 forward Tariq Owens, a graduate transfer from St. John's, gives the Red Raiders a key shot-blocking presence in the paint with 85 blocks and is also averaging 8.9 & 5.8.

As for Gonzaga, the Bulldogs have two 6-8 junior forwards who are likely lottery picks. West Coast Conference Player of the Year Rui Hachimura leads the team in scoring (19.6) while also shooting 45.5 percent from three-point range and WCC Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Clarke is averaging 16.9 points and a team best 8.5 rebounds plus leads the NCAA with 115 blocks (had five against Florida State). Guards Zach Norvell Jr. (15.1) and Josh Perkins (10.9) also are averaging in doubles figures, with Perkins ranking eighth nationally with 228 assists (6.2 per).

Chris Beard got his team past John Beilein and Michigan but getting past Mark Few and Gonzaga is a 'bridge too far!' Tech's D is outstanding (58.7 PPG ranks 3rd / 36.7% FG percentage against ranks 1st) but Gonzaga will NOT shoot 32.7% (including 1 of 19 on threes) like Michigan. Gonzaga has won 30 games by double-digits, including 20 by 20 or more points. Lay the reasonable price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late-Breaker is on Duke at 9:39 ET.

Duke entered the tournament as the favorite to win its sixth national championship but the Blue Devils narrowly avoided a second-round exit against UCF. Duke trailed by three with 14.4 seconds left but got hoops by Williamson and Barrett (off Zion's missed free-throw) and avoided a buzzer-beating defeat when the Knights missed two chances on the final possession. The tournament's overall No. 1 seed (Duke is now 31-5) scored SEVEN of the final nine points to pull out the 77-76 second-round victory. Duke is at this stage of the season for the 27th time, the second-most all-time behind North Carolina's 29. Twenty-five of Duke's Sweet 16 qualifications have come under Coach K.

Meanwhile, Va Tech rallied past Saint Louis for a 66-52 first round win, the school's first NCAA win in 12 years! Virginia Tech's 67-58 victory over Liberty on Sunday gives teh Hokies a 26-8 record and puts them in the Sweet 16 for the first time since the tournament expanded in 1985 (26 wins are a program record!). Now the fourth-seeded Hokies take aim at trying to join North Carolina in taking down the Blue Devils twice this season. Virginia Tech won 77-72 on Feb 26 in Blacksburg, Va, although Duke freshman forward Zion Williamson did not play.

That said, the Hokies were without senior guard Justin Robinson (13.4-3.2-5.0) in the win over Duke. However, he's returned after missing 12 games with an injured foot to average 11 points in the first two rounds. Sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (16.4-4.2-3.9) leads the hteam in scoring and he and Robinson are joined in double figurtes by guard Hill (13.1) and the 6-10 Blackshear (14.9 & 7.3). Virginia Tech an outstanding defensive team, allowing 61.7 PPG (9th) and that D came through vs Liberty. After a sluggish start, Va Tech they locked down on defense, allowing only six FGs in the second half.

The Blue Devils boast the most dominant freshman duo in the nation in RJ Barrett (22.8-7.8-4.1 assists) and Zion Williamson (22.5 & 8.8 rebounds), who have combined for 99 points in the first two rounds. Fellow freshman Reddish (13.6) and PG Jones (9.2-3.7-5.3) round out Coach K's latest "diaper dandies." Duke averages 83.4 PPG (9th).

Does history matter? Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams now has two NCAA Tournament wins, which ties him for the most in program history with Howie Shannon and Charles Moir. Meanwhile, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is 96-29 in the NCAA Tournament and has led the Blue Devils to the Sweet 16, 25 times. One can claim Duke is overpriced, as it has covered only ONE of five games since Zion returned to active duty plus is only 3-10 ATS its last 13 (going to Feb 12, before Williamson’s now-healed injury). That said, it's not as if Duke is laying mid to high double digits. Off its 'escape act' over UCF, Duke rolls.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the OKC Thunder at 8:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets missed the playoffs last year (one game shy of the No. 8 seed) but have no such worries this season. Denver is 50-24, just ONE game back of the Warriors for the West's top record. However, Denver missed a chance to move into a tie with Golden St last night when the Nuggets lost badly in Houston to the Rockets, 112-85. Denver  looks to complete a four-game sweep of the season series when it visits the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. The Nuggets have won the first three meetings by an average of nine points and prevailed 105-98 back on Nov 24 in their first visit to Oklahoma City this season. The Thunder have been struggling, dropping five of six games before posting a 107-99 home win over Indiana on Wednesday. The 44-31 Thunder currently sit in seventh place in the Western Conference with seven games remaining. The 5-8 spots are tightly bunched (teams separated by just 1 1/2 games) but OKC appears destined to be on the road in the first round of the playoffs, as the Thunder are 3 1/2 games behind the No. 4 seed.

Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.2), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.5), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.2-4.2-4.8). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.7 and 8.7 PPG. However, Denver's offense suddenly has disappeared, as the Rockets have failed to reach 100 points in three straight games for the first time all season. The Nuggets shot just 36.9 percent from the floor, including 4-for-24 from three-point range last night in Houston.

The Thunder looked headed for a defeat as the Pacers built a 11-point lead on Wednesday but they scored 24 consecutive points over a stretch of nearly seven minutes to seize control (Pacers missed 14 consecutive shots during that span). Paul George (28.2-8.1-4.1) is expected to play despite left shoulder pain, after scoring 31 points in the win over his former team. Russell Westbrook (22.9-11.0-10.4) collected 17 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds against the Pacers, for his 29th triple-double of the season and the 133rd of his career.

It's hard to really trust OKC but I went against Denver last night with Houston and will do so again here with the Thunder. Here's why. This will be the Nuggets' sixth road game in the last seven contests and is part of the toughest stretch of the season, Last night's contest against Houston began a stretch in which seven of Denver's next eight games will be against probable Western Conference playoff games. After last night's 'ugly' defeat, the Nuggets fell to 0-7 SU (1-6 ATS)  on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. "Case closed," as Archie Bunker used to famously say!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on North Carolina at 7:29 ET.

28-9 Auburn has won 10 straight games, after its 89-75 win over Kansas, one of the nation's traditional juggernauts. The Tigers are in teh Sweet 16 for teh first time since 2003 and face Midwest's No. 1 seed, the 29-6 North Carolina Tar Heels (another CBB 'blue blood!').  "What a better way of, or a better opportunity to try to make history, than to have to go through Kansas and then have to go through North Carolina," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl told reporters. North Carolina beat Washington 81-59 in teh second round and look to advance to the Elite Eight for the third time in the last four seasons

Senior guard Bryce Brown leads the balanced Tigers, averaging 15.9 PPG. Junior PG Harper adds 15.3 and 5.7 APG. The team's lone big man of note is the 6-8 Okeke,who averages 11.8 & 6.7. The Auburn bench averaged 26.3 points during the SEC Tournament and added 28 points vs New Mexico St but only 17 points vs Kansas. Auburn averages 79.8 PPG and has heavily relied on its three-point shooting during its 10-game winning streak and on the season (421 made three-pointers).

Senior guard Cameron Johnson (16.9 & 5.8) and fellow senior, the 6-8 Maye (14.9 & 10.6), plus freshman PG White (16.1-3.6-4.1) have been team leaders all season for the Tar Heels, However, 6-6 freshman reserve forward Nassir Little (10.0 & 4.7) has 39 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in his first two NCAA games. North Carolina averages 86.0 PPG, 3rd-best in the nation entering the Sweet 16.

"305 threes ties our school record for makes in a season, that's pretty impressive. They've made 421," North Carolina head coach Roy Williams told reporters. "So our 305 is not quite as impressive." However, knows how to win in this round, as he's 8-1 in the Sweet 16 while with the Tar Heels.In contrast, Auburn is seeking its first Elite Eight berth since 1986. Bruce Pearl’s Auburn team has been living well since suffering an 80-53 blowout loss at Kentucky in late February,However, "Live by the three, die by the three." The Tar Heels are currently 17-2 in their last 19 games (only defeats coming to ACC juggernauts Virginia and Duke) and  27 of NC's 29 victories this year have come by six points or more.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Virginia at 9;59 ET.

This year's Sweet 16 almost HAS to be feature the strongest field in NCAA history. The top-three seeds have advanced in all four regions with only two four-seeds not playing this  second weekend. 5-seed Auburn beat 4-seed Kansas in the Midwest but since the Tigers were actually favored, that could hardly be seen as an upset. The only so-called 'Cinderella' in this year's tourney is 12-seed Oregon but note that Oregon beat a weak 5-seed in Wisconsin and then drew 13-seed Cal-Irvine. Yes, Oregon is a 12-seed but the Ducks were the preseason favorite to win the Pac-12. So, in Thursday's South Regional, it's No. 1 seed Virgiia (31-3) against 12-seed Oregon (25-12). The red-hot Ducks have won 10 straight contests, after knocking off Wisconsin by 18 points in the first round and rolling past UC-Irvine 73-54 in the second on Sunday. Virginia, which became the first No. 1 seed in history to lose to a 16th seed in the NCAA Tournament last season, rallied from 14 points down to beat Gardner-Webb in the opening round but looked much better in putting the defensive clamps on Oklahoma in the second round Sunday, winning 63-51.

PG Payton Pritchard (13.0-3.8-4.6) is the only remaining player from the Ducks’ Final Four team in 2017 and the junior guard is averaging 19.0 points his last five games. 6-9 freshman forward Louis King (13.4 & 5.6) has also raised his production, making 15-of-27 from the from the floor  the past three contests. 6-8 senior forward Paul White is the third and final player averaging in double figures (10.6 & 3.8), after totaling 50 points the past four contests. Surprising against Cal-Irvine were senior guard Ehab Amin (5.8), who had 12 points, while 6-9 sophomore forward Kenny Wooten (6.5 & 4.8) had 11 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks in the win! Then there is Oregon's D, The Ducks which is allowing an average of just 54.2 points and 34.9 percent shooting overall (23.0% from three-point range) during its 10-game winning streak.

When talking Virginia basketball, defense is what one thinks.The Cavs allow an NCAA-low 55.0 PPG on 38.1% shooting (4th), including 27.8% on threes (2nd). Of note is that Virginia registered a pair of double-digit wins last weekend, despite rough shooting performances from Kyle Guy (15.1), who went 4-of-23 from the floor, including 1-of-15 from three-point range. Sophomore swingman De’Andre Hunter now leads the team in scoring (15.2 & 5.0 RPG), after averaging 16.5 PPG last weekend. PG Jerome contributes 13.0 PPG and a team-best 5.3 assists.The 6-9 Diakite (7.4 & 4.) is a modest contributor, while 6-8 guard Key averages 6.1 PPG and a team-high 5.5 RPG off the bench.

The Ducks were 15-12 and going nowhere fast but back-to-back routs over Arizona State (79-51) and Arizona (73-47) sparked a stunning turnaround that included four wins in four days to win the Pac-12 tournament title prior to the back-to-back NCAA Tournament blowout victories (10-0 SU and ATS), Will Oregon get a 'lucky' 11th straight win and cover? I say the answer is a resounding N-O! Expect Kyle Guy to rebound from a dreadful two-game slump plus don't ignore that fact that Mamadi Diakite is averaging 15.5 points and nine rebounds in the NCAA Tournament, well above his season marks of 7.4 and 4.0, respectively. Big things were expected from Tony Bennett’s Virginia team last year but I have a feeling, 2019 will be the Cavs' year! Oregon goes home, as UVa wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Michigan at 9:29 ET.

Second-seeded Michigan (30-6) takes on No. 3 seed Texas Tech (28-6) in the West Region semifinal in Anaheim, Calif. on Thursday in a battle of two of the top defensive teams in the country. Michigan allows 58.2 PPG (2nd to only UVa's 55.0 PPG), while Texas Tech ranks 3rd in the nation in allowing 59.2 PPG.First team to 60 wins? Michigan bested Montana (74-55) and Florida (64-49) to advance to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year, while notching 30 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. Texas Tech knocked off Northern Kentucky 72-57, before shutting down high-flying Buffalo 78-58 to advance to the Sweet 16 for the second time in as many years.

The Red Raiders enter having won 13 of their last 15. Sophomore guard Jarrett Culver had 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds in the win against Buffalo, recording his fifth double-double of the season. He leads Texas Tech in scoring (18.8), rebounding (6.5) and assist (3.3). Fellow guards Moretti (11.5) and Mooney (10.9) start, with sixth-man Francis coming off the bench to add 6.2 PPG. The 6-10 Owens (8.9 & 5.7) and the 6-8 Odiase (4.3 & 5.4) start up front. Odiase added a season-high 14 points (his season-high in points had been nine!) plus set a new program record for the most rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game with 15. Still, it was Tech's D which was the ultimate "difference-maker," holding Buffalo to almost 27 points below their season average.

Jordan Poole (12.9) scored a team-high 19 points and the 6-7 Isaiah Livers (8.2 & 3.9) was the only other Wolverine to finish in double figures as he added 10 points off the bench. However, PG Xavier Sampson (9.1-5.1-6.8) flirted with his second triple-double of the season by contributing nine points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Guard Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.1) and Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the 6-7 Iggy Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.2), who combined for 36 points and 17 rebounds in win against Montana, were limited to 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Michigan's D "saved the day," controlling the game in holding Florida to 34.5 percent shooting.

I'll argue that the Big Ten is the superior league (over the Big 12), as it placed a conference-record eight teams in the Big Dance TY. Nothing against Tech's Chris Beard but Michigan's John Beilein is 20-7 SU in the NCAAs since 2009. He and his team don't have a number to worry about here. Go Big Blue!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets missed the playoffs last year (one game shy of the No. 8 seed) but have no such worries this season. Denver has won SEVEN of its last eight and at 50-23, is just a half-game back of the Warriors for the West's top record (who'da thunk it!). The Nuggets visit Houston tonight, to take on the Rockets. Houston won an NBA-best 67 games last season but currently sit 47-28 (four back of Denver), as the Rockets battle the 47-27 Blazers for the No. 3 seed (note: the Jazz and Clippers are just two games back of Houston for the 4th-seed). Tuesday's 95-92 home win over the Detroit Pistons gave the Nuggets their first 50-win season since going 57-25 in 2012-13, while Houston suffered a 108-94 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.3), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.5), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.1-4.2-4.9). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.9 and 8.9 PPG. Reigning MVP James Harden (36.2-6.5-7.5) has made a strong case to win it again this season, while Gordon (16.2) and PG Paul (15.6 & 8.2 APG) give Houston a dynamic three-guard attack. Swingmen House (9.9) and Green (9.5) can be very dangerous on any given night, although Green is expected to miss his third straight game (shoulder). Center Clint Capela flys under the radar but he's averaging career highs in points (16.5) and rebounds (12.5).

Here's the bottom line. The Nuggets posted a 136-122 home win over the Rockets back on Feb 1 but that  win halted a NINE-game losing skid against the Rockets. This  contest against Houston begins a stretch in which seven of Denver's next eight games are against probable Western Conference playoff games. The problem? The Nuggets are 0-6 SU (1-5 ATS)  on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1! Let's NOT ignore Houston's dominance over Denver in recent years (see above) or that since Capela returned from a thumb injury after the All Star break, the Rockets have been tough to beat. The Rockets lost their first game with him back in the lineup. but they won the next game in Oakland (118-112 over the Warriors as 12-point underdogs), jump-starting a 14-3 SU run. Lay the VERY fair price.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Tennessee at 7:29 ET.

Purdue has played two very strong games so far in the NCAA Tournament, while Tennessee has managed to log two very impressive halves. The second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers put their 31-5 record on the line in a Thursday matchup with the third-seeded Purdue Boilermakers (25-9). Purdue has put forth two excellent efforts, holding Old Dominion to 26.9 percent shooting in an opening-round 61-48 triumph, before crushing defending champion Villanova 87-61 in the Round of 32. Meanwhile, Tennessee has dominated the first half in each of its first two games, leading Colgate 42-30 and Iowa 49-28 at the break, before barely escaping with a victory each time. In particular, the Volunteers blew a 25-point lead against Iowa and were forced to go into overtime on Sunday, avoiding what would have been a record-setting collapse.

Purdue guard Carsen Edwards (23.6 PPG) established career bests of 42 points and nine 3-pointers as Purdue trounced defending national champion Villanova. He is averaging 34 points in the tournament, after scoring 26 in the first-round win over Old Dominion.He's joined on the perimeter by PG Cline (11.7 & 3.4 APG) and Eastern (7.4 & 5.6), while the 7-3 Haarms (9.4 & 5.4) and the 6-6 Eifert (5.6 & 5.1) start up front.

Tennessee has no one the size of Haarms but MUCH better balance. The 6-7 Williams (18.8-7.5-3.1) has been voted the SEC player of the year the last two seasons plus FOUR guards average in double digits. Schofield leads the way (16.4 & 6.1), along with PG Bone (13.6 & 5.9 APG), Turner (10.7) and Bowden (10.5). The 6-11 Alexander (7.3 & 6.6) starts up front with Williams.

Sure, Tennesse comes in on a three-game ATS slide (SEC title-game embarrassment vs Auburn and now two noncovering NCAA efforts) but the Vols HAVE the better and more-balanced team., Purdue's take down of Villanova (defending champs with two titles in three years) was impressive but should we expect a let down.  It's hard to ignore that the Sweet 16 hasn't been kind to Purdue during Matt Painter's 14 seasons as coach, as the Boilermakers are 0-4 under Painter, including losses in each of the last two seasons. Purdue would likely need another super-human effort by Edwards to win here and I'm NOT betting on that. Vols are headed to the Elite 8.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on NC State at 9:00 ET.

24-11 North Carolina State squeezed past Hofstra (84-78) and Harvard (78-77) in the first two rounds of the NIT and Wednesday will host 27-7 Lipscomb, with a trip to New York and a Final Four game at MSG on the line. Both NC St's wins were non-covers but note that Hofstra was the CAA's regular-season champs and Harvard was the Ivy League's co-regular season champs. Nothing new here, as Lipscomb shared the Atlantic Sun regular-season title with Liberty. The Bisons have beaten Davidson (89-81) and UNC Greensboro (86-69) on the road but to reach New York, will have to win at a pretty tough venue, Raleigh's Reynolds Coliseum.

Lipscomb features great depth, as 10 players get 10-plus minutes of playing time. Seniors Mathews (120.0 & 5.3) and the 6-7 Marberry (15.0 & 4.3) lead the way, while junior PG Cooper (10.2-3.5-4.2) rounds out teh double digit scorers. The total sems to be more than the sum of its parts with Lipscomb, as the Bisons average 8.7 PPG (). Speaking of depth and balance, NC State has SIX players averaging between 8.9 and 13.4 PPG, led by 6-5 senior guard Torin Dorn (13.4). He also produces a team-high 7.2 RPG. PG Markell Johnson adds 12.4 points and a team-best 4.2 assists per contest, while shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range. Bryce adds 11.6 & 4.6 and the lone non-guard of NC State's "core six" is 6-10 sophomore Funderburk (8.9 & 4.3).

The Atlantic Sun co-champs (Liberty and Lipscomb) have acquitted themselves quite well in the postseason, with Lipscomb’s pair of wins (and covers) at Davidson and NC-Greensboro plus Liberty's effort in the San Jose sub-regional (Flames upset Miss St 80-76 as a 7-point dog and then lost by nine to Va Tech, getting anywhere from 8.5 and 9.5 points in a lose/push/win scenario). The Wolfpack played 18 of 19 home games at PNC Arena during the regular season but have used on-campus Reynolds Coliseum.for the NIT games. “The crowd, the atmosphere is awesome,” NC State senior forward Wyatt Walker told the Raleigh News & Observer after Sunday’s win. “Reynolds is awesome.” Yes, NC State has been cutting it close in the NIT so far, but this marks Lipscomb's THIRD road game in nine days. NC State AD Debbie Yow complained the her Wolfpack got snubbed by the Big Dance Selection Committee but getting to Madison Square Garden for next week’s semifinals should be viewed as a nice consolation prize. That's my bet.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on teh Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets were 46-36 last season (one game out of the West's final playoff spot), so few (if any) expected them to be challenging the Golden St Warriors (three titles in the last four seasons) for the West's best record in the 2018-19 season, However, that's the situation as the NBA enters its final 16 days. The 49-23 Nuggets are fighting for the top seed in the Western Conference as the Warriors are just a half-game better as of Tuesday morning, at 50-23. The Piston also missed the last season (like the Nuggets, they were 9th) but they were a sub-500 team at 39-43). However, at 37-36 on the season to-date, Detroit is cling to the East's 6th-seed, in a virtual tie with the 38-37 Nets and one game up on the 8th-seeded Heat. Detroit also has to be concerned with Orlando (five straight wins) and Charlotte (three straight wins), who are also clearly withing striking distance. The stage is set for the Piston vs the Nuggets tonight in Denver.

Detroit concludes a five-game road trip tonight at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets are 1-3 so far, with their lone win coming in Phoenix, over the pathetic 17-58 Suns. PF Griffin (24.7-7.5-5.5) and center Drummond (17.3 & 15.4) join PG Jackson (15.3 & 4.2 APG) as the only consistent contributors. In stark contrast, Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.2), rebounding (10.8) and assist (7.6), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (17.9-4.2-4.8). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus five more, averaging between 5.8 and 8.9 PPG (include Thomas, who has played just 10 games).

The goods news for Detroit is, that the Pistons will play five of their final eight games at home, following tonight's game. However, that won't help here. Detroit has lost EIGHT of its last nine visits to Denver, which will surely remember getting humbled by 26 points at Little Caesars Arena back on Feb 4. Denver returns home for this one off a four-game road trip and will have to go right back on the road after tonight's game (at Houston on Thursday and at OKC on Friday). Considering that and with the team's embarrassing Feb 4 loss at Detroit still somewhat fresh, expect the Nuggets (30-6 at home, average winning margin of 11 points) to roll. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on TCU at 9:00 ET.

Both Creighton (20-14) and TCU (22-13) have advanced to this third round game with back-to-back home wins. The winner of tonight's game in Fort Worth, advances to MSG and the NIT's version of its 'Final Four' next Tuesday. The Bluejays have won SEVEN of their last eight contests, including a pair of NIT home games, 70-61  over Loyola-Chicago and a 79-67 over Memphis. The Horned Frogs have earned double-digit home victories over Sam Houston State (82-69) and Nebraska (88-72).

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott starts four guards and the 6-9 Martin Krampelj (13.7 & 6.9). All five scored in double digits in the team's win over Memphis, despite  Krampelj being limited to just 18 minutes due to foul trouble (he still had 12 points). 6-7 freshman forward Christian Bishop (just 3.9 & 2.0 on the season) tied a season high with 21 minutes and produced eight points to go along with a career-high 10 rebounds. The team's guard quartet includes Alexander (19 & 4.0), Ballock (11.0-4.4-3.2), Zegarowski (10.6-3.2-3.4) and Mintz (9.8-3.0-3.1). 

TCU starts a pair ov veteran guards, junior Bane (15.6 & 5.7) plus senior PG Robinson (12.6 & 7.1 APG, along with a solid three-man frontcourt. The trio includes the 6-7 Noi (13.8 & 4.9), the 6-8 Miller (10.9 & 6.6) and 6-11 freshman Samuel (7.7 & 6.9). All starters save Robinson (9 points and 9 assists), scored in double digits in Sunday's home win over Nebraska. Bane scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half Sunday, reaching the 30-point mark for the second time in 15 days, after not accomplishing that feat once over his first 105 games!

Sure, the Bluejays have surged as of late (see above) but Creighton has NEVER won a true road game in the NIT (0-4) and will be seeking its first NIT victory away from home since 1942, not to mention the chance to win three straight games in the NIT for the first time ever!In contrast, head coach Jamie Dixon has returned to his alma mater  and quickly turned around the basketball program upon his arrival in 2016-17. He doubled the Horned Frogs' win total from the year before, en route to the school's first postseason title (2017 NIT). TCU ended its 2017 NIT championship run that season with three blowout wins and has seemingly picked up where it left off, as the Horned Frogs are seeking their EIGHTH straight NIT win. Why won't they get it here? TCU is  29-2 SU at home against non-conference opponents under Dixon and the pointspread and the impost too steep!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on TCU at 9:30 ET.

Nebraska suffered through a 2-11 stretch (from Jan 21-Mar 5) but erased an early 14-2 deficit at home to beat Butler 80-76 on Wednesday. It was the school's first postseason victory in 11 years! Last year's NIT bid was a let down, as Nebraska won 23 games (finished fourth in the Big Ten) and admitted it was not pumped for last year's NIT. TY's team says it feels different. The fourth-seeded Cornhuskers (19-16) now visit the top-seed in its NIT bracket on Sunday, the 21-13 TCU Horned Frogs. TCU felt it was snubbed by the NCAA this season and came out out sluggish against Sam Houston State. The Horned Frogs trailed by eight before closing the first half on a 15-3 run and then made 11 of their first 14 attempts after intermission to take 17-point lead in an eventual 82-69 win.

Nebraska's 6-8 Isaiah Roby (12.1 & 7.1) scored a career-high 28 points in the win over Butler. Starting guards James Palmer Jr. (19.7-4.2-3.0) had 23 points, five rebounds and three assists against Butler, while Glynn Watson Jr. (13.5-4.0-3.0 assists) scored 17 points. That trio has stepped up since Nebraska lost the 6-9 Copeland (14.0 & 5.4)  for the season after 20 games. In fact, Palmer is averaging 24.6 points, Roby 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks, and Watson 18.6 points and shooting 19-of-41 from the arc, over the team's last five games.

Six TCU players scored in double digits against Sam Houston St. PG Alex Robinson (12.7-3.7-7.1) recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 assists. The 6-8 JD Miller (10.8 & 6.6) contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while leading scorer Desmond Bane (15.2-5.6-2.4) added 13 points and nine rebounds. Freshman center Kevin Samuel (7.6 &.7.0) scored 11 points. TCU's fourth double digit scorer on the season is the 6-7 Noi (13.9 & 4.9).

Nebraska may be claiming that the team is "pumped' for this year's NIT but a comeback home win over a Butler team which struggled all season on the road, hardly convinces me. The Huskers’ 80 points against Butler were their most in EIGHT postseason games, dating back to the 2004 NIT. Nebraska travels to Fort Worth tonight to face a TCU team which won the NIT in 2017 and is surely capable of winning it again, this year. Nebraska is 2-9 SU in true road games this season, while allowing 78.6 PPG. End of the 2019 'road' for the Cornhuskers.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Virginia at 7:45 ET.

Virginia became the first No. 1 seed to fall in the NCAA tournament's first round in 2018, losing to Maryland-Baltimore County. It seemed like "deja vu all over again" on Friday, as the top-seed in the South fell behind by double digits in the first half on Friday against Gardner-Webb before pulling away for a 71-56 win (non-cover). Oklahoma improved to 20-13 on the season with its 95-72 rout of Ole Miss.

The Sooners were lucky to even be in the tournament after going 4-8 down the stretch, including a loss to last-place West Virginia in the Big 12 Tournament opener. However, they exploded against Ole Miss on Friday (shot 57.6 percent from the floor), rolling up their highest point total of the season and their most in an NCAA Tournament game since they scored 124 against Louisiana Tech in 1989. Four Sooners scored at least 18 points, led by guards Christian James (14.4 & 6.2) and Rashard Odomes (7.1) with 20 each. 6-7 forward Kristian Doolittle (11.4 & 7.2) scored 19 and equaled a career high with 15 rebounds plus the 6-9 Brady Manek  (12.2 & 5.9 added 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

The Cavaliers did connected on 51.9 percent from the floor in Friday's win, as sophomore De'Andre Hunter (15.4 & 5.1)r, who missed last year's tournament with an injury suffered in the ACC Tournament, topped the team with 23 points. The 6-9 Mamadi Diakite (7.2 & 3.9) added 17 points along with a team-high nine rebounds and PG Ty Jerome (13.0 & 5.4 APG) scored 13. Guy (15.4 & 4.4), the third guard in UVa's outstanding perimeter trio, was held to just eight points. However, Virginia out-rebounded Gardner-Webb 35-21 and has now held eight of its last 10 opponents under 60 points.

Here's the bottom line. The Cavaliers allow an average of just 55.1 PPG, the lowest in the nation and Oklahoma has struggled with top defenses this season. The Sooners have gone 0-5 against teams that finished the season ranked in the top -10 in defense. No 'scare' here, as UVa romps.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

The San Antonio Spurs have certainly been streaky this season. The Spurs' annual "Rodeo Road Trip" was a disaster, as they went 1-7 from Feb 4-25. San Antonio then ripped off NINE wins in a row, before losing 110-105 at home vs Miami (Wed) and then 111-105 at Houston on Friday (Harden has 61 points!). The 42-31 Spurs now sit alone in eighth place in the West, although OKC, Utah and the LAC are all just one game better at 43-30. The Sputs visit TD Garden tonight to take on a Boston team in shock, after Saturday's 124-117 loss in Charlotte. The Hornets closed Saturday night's game on a 30-5 run. Charlotte trailed 112-94 with 8 minutes, 22 seconds remaining!!!.The 43-30 Celtics are one game back of the Pacers for the East's No. 4 seed, edge in the first round.

The Spurs are led by guard DeRozan (21.5-6.3-6.1) and PF Aldridge (21.0 & 8.9) but six more players check in averaging between 8.0 and 14.1 PPG. Guard Bryn Forbes (11.6) hit all three of his three-point tries en route to a team-high 20 points at Houston but his teammates were just 4-of-21 from beyond the arc (note: Spurs are the NBA's best three-point shooting team at 39.7%). LaMarcus Aldridge scored 32 points to lead San Antonio to a 120-111 victory back on Dec 31 over the Celtics at home but was held to 10 at Houston and has fallen short of his average (21.0) in four of the last five games.

Kyrie Irving (24.0-5.1-7.0) scored 31 points and Jaylen Brown (13.2 & 4.3) had 29 in Saturday's loss, which has the team wondering where to go as it heads into the second half of a back-to-back. Boston's depth is impressive, as along with Irving and Brown, they have forwards Tatum (15.9 & 6.2), Morris (14.2 & 6.6) and Hayward (10.8 & 4.3),  F/C Horford (13.2-6.7.4-1) plus guards Rozier (9.3) and Smart (8.5).

Brad Stevens' team has been a huge underachiever this season but I have to believe Boston will respond here at home, off last night's total collapse. Let's not ignore that San Antonio's nine-game winning streak (prior to its Wednesday loss at home to Miami and Friday's loss at Houston),was comprised of SEVEN home wins. The lone road wins came against losers like Atlanta and Dallas. The Spurs come to Boston 3-8 SU on the road since Feb 1 and would basically need to win to cover here. Back the home team.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Virginia Tech at 7:10 ET.

29-6 Liberty rallied for its first-ever NCAA Tournament win in school history on Friday, beating the East's fifth-seeded Miss St Bulldogs, 80-76 (as 7-point underdogs). Up next for the 12th-seeded Flames will fourth-seeded Virginia Tech (25-8), which rallied past Saint Louis for a 66-52 first round win (BTW...It was Tech's first NCAA win in 12 years!). San Jose, Ca is the setting for Sunday's game with a trip to the Sweet 16 going to the winner.

Junior guard Celeb Homesley (12.5 & 5.5) erupted for a career-high 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting in Liberty's Friday win. He's part of an excellent perimeter group. which includes Cabill (12.5 & 5.5) and three other guards averaging between 7.1 and 7.7 PPG. 6-8 junior forward Scottie James leads the team in scoring (12.9) and rebounding (8.7). Liberty is an outstanding defensive team, allowing 61.2 PPG (8th).

Not only did Va Tech win its first NCAA game in 12 years but the Hokies got a big boost by the return of senior PG Justin Robinson (13.5-3.2-5.0), who chipped in nine points and a pair of steals after missing the previous 12 games with a foot injury. "It was like riding a bike," Robinson told reporters. "There was a little rust. I had (two) assists, four turnovers." Leading scorer, sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (16.7-4.1-3.9), not surprisingly led the team with 20 points. Tech has two other double digit scorers in guard Hill (13.0) and the 6-10 Blackshear (14.7 & 7.2), who had 15 points.Like Liberty, Va Tech plays outstanding D, allowing 61.8 PPG (10th).

Two excellent defensive teams but Va Tech played the MUCH tougher opponents (schedule). Liberty had its 'day in the sun" on Friday but let's NOT forget the Flames lost 79-70 at Vandy ('Dores went 0-18 in the SEC this season), 88-78 at Georgetown and 84-75 in a neutral game to Alabama. Sure, they won at sad-sack UCLA but the Bruins are "the Bruins" these days in name only. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Duke at 5:15 ET.

Duke pretty much breezed through its first round game beating North Dakota State 85-62, as Duke's heralded freshmen embraced the NCAA Tournament in their first shot. The 30-5 Blue Devils, the top seed in the East Region, now take on ninth-seeded UCF (24-8) in Sunday's second round at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC, after the Knights impressively took down VCU, 73-58.

UCF's 7-6 center Tacko Fall (11.0 & 7.7) had 13 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks in Friday’s win. The Knights are excellent at the defensive end (64.1 PPG allowed ranks 26th in the nation), in no small part because Fall can control  the paint. However, the team's scoring 'punch' comes from its backcourt and B.J. Taylor (16.0) and Aubrey Dawkins (15.1 & 5.1) combined for 29 points against VCU. PG Allen (6.8 & 4.2 APG) rounds out an excellent guard trio, while the 6-11 Smith (8.1 & 5.1) has complemented Fall all season.

Slow starts have been a bit of a concern recently for the Blue Devils, who led by only four at halftime against North Dakota State. However, Duke can look unstoppable once it gets going. Barrett (23.0-7.7-4.1) and Williamson (22.2 & 8.7) have been dominant all season and were so again vs ND St. Barrett had 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Williamson added 25 points Rounding out the team's "Fab Four" are Reddish (13.6) and PG Jones (9.1 & 5.3 APG).

Fall played like "Wilt" vs VCU but he entered the tourney averaging a modest 25 minutes per game. He doesn’t run the floor well and his offensive game is VERY limited!  Barrett and Williamson are on pace to become the first freshman teammates in history to each average more than 20 points in a season. Is this duo a 'lock' to reach the Final 4? Maybe not but the Blue Devils WILL reach the Sweet 16 for the 27th time against a UCF team coming off the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. The win comes "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on North Carolina at 2:40 ET.

Washington easily won the Pac-12's regular season title with a 15-3 record (three clear of ASU) but lost in the conference tourney title game to red-hot Oregon. The Huskies received a 9-seed in the Midwest Region but bounced back in impressive fashion on Friday with a 78-61 win over 8-seed Utah State. Washington's Jekyll-and-Hyde season continues Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, where the Huskies face top-seeded North Carolina in a Midwest Region second-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament.The Tar Heels had some early struggles against 16th-seeded Iona but shot 63 percent in the second half to secure the 88-73 win.

Washington scored a season-low 44 points in a loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 Tournament title game but bounced back by shooting 49 percent from the floor, including 10-of-17 from three-point range against Utah State. Pac-12 Player of the Year Jaylen Nowell (16.3-5.3-3.2) had 19 points, five rebounds and five assists in the win over Utah State,  while Nahziah Carter (8.0) stepped up after David Crisp (12.3 PPG) fouled out with eight minutes left and finished with 13 points off the bench. Thybulle (9.3 & 3.5 SPG),  the two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, added 10 points, five steals, three blocks and three rebounds for the Huskies, who held MWC Player of the Year Sam Merrill to 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting. Washington also received a welcome spark from 6-8 senior forward Noah Dickerson (12.4 & 7.5), who broke out of a mini-slump by recording 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Senior guard Cameron Johnson (17.1 & 5.9) scored a team-high 21 points for the Tar Heels against Iona.He and fellow senior, the 6-8 Maye (14.8 & 10.4), plus freshman guard White (16.1-3.5-4.2) have been team leaders all season, However, 6-6 freshman reserve forward Nassir Little (9.7 & 4.6) added 19 points for the Tar Heels in his first NCAA Tournament game.

Washington’s Jekyll-and-Hyde season continues Sunday in Columbus, Oh and I wonder if the Huskies are in the WRONG place at the WRONG time.  Washington's second-year head coach Mike Hopkins (former Jim Boeheim assistant at Syracuse) has effectively implemented his mentor’s 2-3 matchup zone defense, as the Huskies allow 64.3 PPG (28th). However, North Carolina averages 86.1 PPG (3rd-best) and is coming off a sluggish effort. Washington only averages 70.1 PPG (252nd) and I believe will NOT be able to keep up with a North Carolina team headed for yet another Sweet 16. Beating MWC champ Utah St is one thing. Beating (or even staying close) to a blue-blood program like North Carolina is another. Lay it

Good luck...Larry

My signature 10* LEGEND Play is on Kansas at 9:40 ET.

Auburn and Kansas both played in their respective conference tournament championship games last weekend (Auburn won / Kansas lost) and both advanced to this second round contest. However, 5th-seeded Auburn barely survived 78-77 over 12th-seeded New Mexico St, while 4th-seeded Kansas rode a 32-6 second-half run to coast to an 87-53 win over 13th-seeded Northeastern.

Auburn made 15 three-pointers and recorded 14 steals en route to securing its first SEC Tournament title since 1985 with Sunday's 84-64 rout of Tennessee, its fourth game in four days. However, the collective wear-and-tear of a FIFTH game in eight days nearly caught up with the Tigers on Thursday when they escaped with a 78-77 victory over New Mexico State after nearly blowing a seven-point lead in the final minute! Senior guard Bryce Brown leads the balanced Tigers, averaging 15.7 PPG. Junior PG Harper adds 15.3 and 5.7 APG. The team's lone big man of note is the he 6-8 Okeke averages 11.8 & 6.8. he Auburn bench averaged 26.3 points during the SEC Tournament and added 28 points vs New Mexico St.

Kansas scored 50 points in the paint for the second straight game in its win over Northeastern and the Jayhawks set several season bests in Thursday's rout, field-goal percentage for a half (70.4), field-goal percentage for a game (55.7) and field-goal percentage defense (28.7). That's not a bad 'trifecta.'The 6-9  Dedric Lawson (19.1 & 10.3)  had 25 points and 11 rebounds in only 27 minutes to post his 21st double-double on the season. Freshman guard Devon Dotson (12.3-3.7-3.5) scored 18 points and did not commit a turnover Thursday. Since Vick (14.1 & 4.0) was lost after 23 games, Agbaji (8.9 & 4.8) and Garrett (7.3 & 4.2) have stepped up on the perimeter to complement Dotson.

Auburn comes in on a nine-game winning streak but almost didn't survive against New Mexico St. Auburn features a guard-oriented attack and puts up 79.5 PPG but I took New Mexico St against them nothing that playing at altitude (Salt Lake City) could have an effect for a team playing its FIFTH game in eight days. It's now a SIXTH game in 10 days and note that EIGHT of Kansas' nine losses this season have come in true road games (Jayhawks went 3-8 on the season). That makes this Bell Self-coached team 23-1 SU in home and neutral games (16-0 at home / 7-1 in neutral) on the season. Auburn's last Sweet 16 appearance came back in 2002-03, so look for the nation's preseason No. 1 team to make it 24-1 and be the ones advancing to this season's Sweet 16.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Villanova at 9:00 ET.

26-9 Villanova is the South Region's No. 6 seed and will play the No. 4 seed Purdue (24-9) tonight in Hartford, Ct for a spot in the Sweet 16. 'Nova outlasted Saint Mary's 61-57 on Thursday by holding the Gaels to 41.8 percent shooting and limiting them to just six free-throw attempts. "The tempo was excruciating," Wildcats head coach Jay Wright told reporters. "We felt going in we were going to have to grind with them."Meanwhile, Purdue (the Big Ten's regular-season co-champ), held Old Dominion to just 26.9 percent shooting in a suffocating 61-48 triumph on Thursday. The team's leading scorer, Carsen Edwards (23.1), scored 26 points to lead the way.

It was no surprise that the Wildcats were led on Thursday by seniors Phil Booth (20 points) and Eric Pachall (14), Both were members of the All-Big East first team, as guard Booth averages 18.7-3.9-3.9 and the 6-8 Paschall 16.5 & 6.2. Sophomore guard Gillespie (10.9) is the team's only other double digit scorer but a trio of frontcourt players (Bey, Samuels and Cosby-Roundtree) combine to chip in about 20 points and 6 rebounds per game.

Edwards had 26 points but made just 7 of 23 of shots against ODU. He has really struggled with his shooting over the last four games, connecting on just 27 percent of his shots over that stretch, including 11-of-45 (24.4%) from three-point land. Edwards' backcourt partner Ryan Cline (11.7 & 3.4 APG) was just 1-of-11 fromthree3-point range against Old Dominion and has scored eight points or fewer in FOUR of the last six games. Purdue's lone big man of note is the 7-3 Haarms but he averages a modest 9.2 & 5.3.

Villanova has won TWO of the last three NCAA titles and enters this contest 14-1 in its last 15 NCAA Tournament games. In veterans like Booth and Paschall plus head coach Jay Wright, 'Nova has an edge. Booth has not been held below 13 points since Dec 8, while his counterpart, Edwards, is slumping (see above). Jermaine Samuels has scored at least 10 points in FIVE of his last seven contests and along with Bey and Cosby-Roundtree (again, see above), joins the veteran Paschal to give Purdue's so-so frontcourt all sorts of trouble. Even better, we get a few points with the Wildcats,.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Florida St at 6:10 ET.

Murray State (28-4) pulled off the 12 vs 5 upset Thursday in beating Marquette 83-64. Potential NBA Draft lottery pick Ja Morant (24.4-5.7-10.2) did not disappoint by posting the first triple-double in the NCAA Tournament since Draymond Green recorded one in 2012, scoring 17 points with 11 rebounds and 16 assists. Meanwhile, the fourth-seeded Seminoles (28-7) got a first-round scare from Vermont in the West Region when they found themselves tied with the Catamounts at the half, before pulling away from Vermont in a 76-69 win.

Morant scored or assisted on 53 points against the Golden Eagles but the Racers were far from a one-man show. Freshman guard Tevin Brown (12.0 & 4.8) had a team-high 19 points while fellow guard Shaq Buchanan (13.1 & 4.3) added 14. The 6-9 KJ Williams (7.8 & 4.7) had 16 points and is joined up front by the 6-8 Cowart (10.3 & 6.6). Murray St averages 83.3 PPG (11th) on 49.7% shooting (6th).

The 6-11 Mfiondu Kabengele(13.1 & 5.9) is FSU's leading scorer and comes off the bench (he's the ACC's Sixth Man of the Year). He scored a game-high 21 points on 6-of-13 shooting while also going 9-of-12 from the free-throw line and adding 10 rebounds against the Catamounts. Senior guard Terance Mann (11.4 & 6.4) helped fuel FSU's second-half surge by scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half. PG Forrest (9.0 & 3.7 APG) plus Walker (7.8) give FSU a solid guard trio. Up front, the 6-8 Cofer (7.4 & 3.5) plus the 7-4 Koumadji (6.6 & 5.5 in just 15 MPG), make for a very balanced FSU offense. As always, FSU plays solid D, allowing 67.2 PPG (61st in the nation).

Murray State has won 12 straight and along with Morant, have received plenty of pre-tournament coverage. However, FSU will be a tough matchup. The Seminoles came out a bit flat vs Vermont but that shouldn't have been too much of a surprise considering they were coming off an intense run to the ACC Tournament championship game. Leonard Hamilton just may have his best-ever team this season, as Florida State’s 28 wins are the most in program history. One more and it's off to the Sweet 16. Bye-bye Ja. See you on draft night.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on Michigan at 5:15 ET.

Second-seeded Michigan (29-6) routed No. 15 seed Montana 74-55 on Thursday and now moves on to take on 10th-seed Florida in the West Regional (game is in Des Moines, Ia). Florida nearly squandered an 18-point second-half lead but held on to knock off seventh-seeded Nevada 70-61 on Thursday. The Wolverines's victory over Montana was their 17th NCAA Tournament win since 2013, which is the most of any team during that span. Michigan is looking advance to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in its last six appearances. As for Florida, the Gators needed a pair of wins in the SEC Tournament to punch their ticket to the Big Dance but have won three of their last four games after dropping the previous three and hope to build off their upset of the Wolf Pack by advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time in the last three years.

Florida center Kevarrius Hayes (8.3 & 6.2) scored a team-high 16 points to go along with three blocks before fouling out with 2:20 to go, as the Gators scored the final seven points to stave off a late rally by Nevada. Guard Jalen Hudson (9.2) added 13 of his 15 points in the first half while SF Keyontae Johnson (8.1 & 6.3) chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Wolf Pack. KeVaughn Allen (team's leading scorer at 11.9 PPG) scored all 10 of his points in the second half while freshman PG Andrew Nembhard (8.1 & 5.3 APG) had eight points, seven rebounds and five assists. It's no surprise that Florida won with defense (63.6 PPG ranks 21st), as it held Nevada to 34.5 percent from the floor, including 5 of 24 from three-point range.

Michigan guard Charles Matthews 12.3 & 5.0) was bothered by an injured right ankle in the Big Ten tourney but looked fine vs Montana, leading the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds to register the seventh double-double of his career in the win. 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (15.0 & 5.3) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and added 14 points and seven rebounds, while PG Zavier Simpson (9.1-5.0-6.7) had just four points but produced 10 assists and seven rebounds against the Grizzlies to become the first player in program history to have eight games with at least 10 assists in a single season.

Guard Poole (12.7) and 7-1 center Teske (9.7 & 7.0) round out Michigan's core, one which is more than capable of furthering John Beilein's recent NCAA successes. I noted Florida's strong defensive numbers earlier but Michigan has held 20 opponents to 60 or fewer points this season and enters this contest allowing 58.5 PPG, the second-fewest points in the nation. Michigan is holding opponents to 39.7% shooting (17th), including 28.7% on threes (5th-best). Michigan's D is even better than Florida's plus the Wolverines have more scoring options on the offensive end of the court. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Ohio St by 9:50 ET.

Iowa State entered the Big 12 tourney on a three-game losing streak but came away from Kansas City with the Big 12 Tournament championship trophy for the FOURTH time in six years. The 23-11 Cyclones earned a No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region after a 78-66 victory over Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament championship game. Awaiting them are the 11th-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio St was considered a bubble team entering the Big Ten tourney but a win over Indiana seemingly was good enough to earn an at-large bid., despite the team's modest 19-14 overall record. Iowa State had the better season but both teams experienced an up-and-down stretches

Ohio State opened 12-1 but then lost five straight, ending the season with an 8-12 record in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes enter the tournament with four losses in their last five games, but three of those losses were without big man Kaleb Wesson, who returned from a three-game suspension for the Big Ten Tournament. Wesson (14.4 & 6.8) returned from his suspension against Indiana and made a huge impact with 17 points and 13 rebounds before managing only seven points and three rebounds in a loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Ohio State need production from its guards, point guard C.J. Jackson (12.2-4.0-3.5), heralded freshman Luther Muhammed  (8.0) and battle-tested Keyshawn Woods (7.7), a Wake Forest graduate transfer. Let's not forget Wesson's 6-6 brother Andre, who averages 8.8 & 4.0 and typically draws the toughest defensive matchup.

Steve Prohm's Iowa St team is loaded on the perimeter with the 6-9 Jacobson (11.5 & 6.0) being ISU's lone frontcourt player of note. Shayok (18.6 & 4.9) is the team's leading scorer, followed by fellow guards Wigginton (13.5 & 4.1), Horton-Tucker (12.1 & 5.0), PG Weiler-Babb (9.2-5.0-4.0 and Haliburton (). When "on its game," Iowa State is one dangerous team.

Iowa State is playing in the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in the past eight years and the 20th time in school history However, which Cyclones team will show up. The one that lost the final three games of the regular season and six of its final eight, or the squad that swept through the Big 12 tournament last week? Sure, Ohio State has had it's fair share of Jekyll-and-Hyde moments but Kaleb Wesson should dominate the much smaller Cyclones plus Ohio St can dominate the glass on both ends. Head coach Chris Holtmann (ex-Butler) loves the role of tournament underdog. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 1st Round Game of the Year is on VCU at 9:40 ET.

23-8 UCF earned an at-large bid for the first time in program history and the 9th-seed in the East Regio. The Knights will face No. 8-seed VCU in a first-round matchup on Friday in Columbia, SC. UCF set a program record with 23 regular-season wins, while posting statement victories over then-No. 6 Houston on the road and then-No. 19 Cincinnati in the span of five days. However, UCF (3rd in the AAC) fell in the quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament 79-55 to Memphis. VCU was predicted to finish seventh in the conference in a preseason poll but claimed the Atlantic 10 regular-season title with a 16-2 league record. However, the top-seeded Rams suffered a 75-70 setback to Rhode Island in the quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament and take a 25-7 record into the Big Dance.

The Knights have an excellent guard trio in Taylor (16.0), Dawkins (15.2 & 5.0) and PG Allen (6.8-3.2-4.3). Up front, it's the 7-6 Fall (10.9 & 7.3) and the 6-11 Smith (8.3 & 5.2). Defense is the team's strength, holding opponents to 64.3 PPG (28th) on 39.5% shooting (13th). VCU's best player Marcus Evans (13.8-3.0-3.2) was forced to leave last Friday’s quarterfinal loss in the first half with a knee injury but is expected to play in the NCAA Tournament. Backcourt mate Jenkins (11.4 & 3.9) joins him in double digit scoring, as do a pair of forwards, the 6-6 Vann (10.9 & 3.5) and the 6-7 Santos-Silva (10.1 & 7.4). Speaking of defense, the Rams allow 61.6 PPG (10th) on 38.4% shooting (6th), including 27.6 on threes (3rd).

This marks the first at-large bid in program history for UCF and only its fifth NCAA appearance all-time. UCF has never been seeded higher than 14th before. VCU was just 18-15 in 2017-18, missing the postseason for the first time in 12 years iIt also ended a stretch of SEVEN straight NCAA appearances). This year's turnaround  was envisioned by head coach Mike Rhoades, who told his team they could make the tournament after last year's disappointment. Expect the loss to Rhode Island in the A-10 tourney to be a HUGE motivating factor for the Rams. Does VCU have anyone to handle the 7-6 Fall? Not really but Fall only plays about 25 minutes per game, doesn’t run the floor well and his offensive game is VERY limited!  VCU wins this battle of defensive teams.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Western Conference Game of the Month is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET.

The San Antonio Spurs saw their nine-game winning streak snapped with a 110-105 home loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday. They open a three-game road swing tonight in Houston, against a Rockets team which is also coming off a loss on Wednesday, 126-125 in OT at Memphis. Houston had won 12 of 13 prior to that defeat and at 45-27, resides in third place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, while the 42-30 Spurs are in a four-way tie for the fifth through eighth spots (current tiebreakers have SA with the No. 6 seed)..

San Antonio had good offensive balance in the loss against Miami, with five players scoring 15 or more points. That's nothing new. DeRozan (21.5-6.3-6.1) and Aldridge (21.1 & 9.0) have been the team leaders all season but six more players check in averaging between 8.0 and 14.2 PPG. The Spurs make 47.8% of their shots (2nd), including an NBA-high 39.9% on threes.

Reigning MVP James Harden (36.1-6.5-7.7) poured in 57 points on Wednesday (his seventh 50-point effort of the season). Harden almost a comeback from a 19-point deficit but his effort left the Rockets one point short."If we play that way, the way that we played in the fourth quarter (and) overtime defensively, then we'll be all right," Harden said after the game. Gordon (16.5) and PG Paul (15.6 & 8.2 APG) give Houston a dynamic three-guard attack plus swingmen House (9.9) and Green (9.5) can be very dangerous on any given night. However, don't overlook center Clint Capela, who is averaging career highs in points (16.8) and rebounds (12.4).

Note that when Capela returned from a thumb injury after the All Star break, the Rockets lost their first game with him in the lineup. However, they won the next game in Oakland (118-112 over the Warriors as 12-point underdogs) and were on a 12-1 run before losing Wednesday. Yes, the Spurs had won NINE in a row prior to their Wednesday loss but SEVEN wins came at home. The lone road wins were in Atlanta (Hawks are 25-48) and Dallas (Mavs are 28-44 and losers of 15 of their last 17!). The Spurs are just 13-22 SU on the road, where they allow 115.1 PPG. NONE of that spells good new against a Houston team off a rare loss. Home team gets the "W" and the 'CASH!'

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Houston at 7:20 ET.

The 31-3 Houston Cougars were American Athletic Conference regular-season champions, posting the fourth 31-win season in the program's history and first since 1983-84. The Cougars were 16-2 in AAC play and earned their first outright regular-season title since 1984, when they were members of the Southwest Conference. However, the Cougars lost to Cincinnati 69-57 in the AAC championship game on Sunday, after beating the Bearcats twice in the regular season. They now must refocus as the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region with a first round matchup against 14th-seeded Georgia State (24-9), which both the Sun Belt Conference regular-season and tournament championships. Georgia State makes its third appearance in the Big Dance over a five-year stretch and will meet Houston for the first time ever.

FIVE players scored in double figures last Sunday as the Panthers beat Texas-Arlington 73-64 in the Sun Belt final (team's fifth straight victory and eighth in nine games). Junior guard D’Marcus Simonds leads the Panthers in scoring at 18.4 PPG (adds 5.0 RPG and 3.7 APG) but 6-6 senior forward Malik Benlevi (12.0 & 5.8) was named the Sun Belt Tournament’s most outstanding player. He's recorded three straight double-doubles, averaging 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in the process. Mitchell (12.2) and Williams (11.4 & 3.6 APG) join Simonds in the backcourt, while 6-5 SF Thomas (11.7 & 4.5) gives Ga St five double digit scorers.

Senior guard Corey Davis Jr. (team-high 16.7 PPG) was bothered by a hip strain Sunday while going 3-of-13 from the floor. Houston expects (hopes?) he'll be fine for this one. Houston regularly plays five guards, as Brooks adds 13.6 PPG (and a team-high 6.5 RPG) plus there's PG Robinson (8.0 & 4.9 APG), Jarreau (8.9 & 3.9) and Hinton (7.6 & 4.4) Houston's strength is a defense allowing 61.2 PPG (8th) on 36.7% shooting (1st), including 27.6% on threes (2nd). 

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson has taken four teams to a total of 16 Big Dances in his 26 years of coaching. He was the AAC's coach of the year and said his team needed a rest and welcomed not having to start the tournament with a game on Thursday. Playing Friday plus a short trip from Houston to Tulsa, gives the Cougars an extra day to heal after a 34-game season and a brutal stretch in the AAC tournament. The Panthers, bussing home from New Orleans to Atlanta on Sunday, pulled into a truck stop to watch the NCAA Tournament selection show, where they found out who and where they would be playing. I say Houston was NOT a team Ga St wanted to draw. The Cougars will likely be well-supported in Tulsa and should be primed to extend there season. Expect just that, with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Utah St at 6:50 ET

26-8 Washington easily won the Pac-12's regular season title with a 15-3 record (three clear of ASU) but lost in the conference tourney title game to red-hot Oregon. The Huskies received a 9-seed in the Midwest Region and will face 8-seed Utah State. The Aggies have won 10 straight and 17 of their last 18 contests, including a 64-57 title-game win over San Diego St in the MWC finals. Both schools are making their first NCAA appearance since 2011..

The Huskies are led by Pac-12 player of the year Jaylen Nowell (16.2-5.3-3.1) and the league’s defensive player of the year, Matisse Thybulle (9.3 PPG and 116 steals). Guard Crisp (12.5) and the 6-8 Dickerson (12.2 & 7.4) join Nowell in double digits for a team that ranked just 11th in the Pac-12 in scoring at 69.8 PPG (255th nationally). However, Washington's D allows only 64.4 PPG, which ranks 29th in the nation.

Utah State was picked ninth in the Mountain West Conference preseason poll but tied Nevada for the regular season title and then won the MWC tourney. MWC player of the year Sam Merrill (21.2-4.0-4.2) scored 24 points in the 64-57 title-game win over the Aztecs, while 6-11 freshman center Neemias Queta (11.1 & 8.9) had 17 points and eight rebounds. Few know much about Queta, a rim protector with a 7-5 wingspan who blocked NINE shots during the MWC tournament. Guards Brito (8.2) and Miller (8.0) complement Merrill in the backcourt, while the 6-8 Taylor (8.0 & 6.3) helps Queta up front.

Washington's second-year head coach Mike Hopkins (former Jim Boeheim assistant at Syracuse) has effectively implemented his mentor’s 2-3 matchup zone defense but Utah State has an well-oiled offense that averages 79.2 PPG (10 points more that UW) and ranks 10th in Division I with 17.2 assists per game. FIVE of the Aggies' top-six scorers hit 35% or better from beyond the arc, so watch out! Utah State has to be excited to play a team from the Pac-12 and Washington, which comes in on a 1-6 ATS run, should play the perfect foil.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on Wisconsin at 4:30 ET.

Oregon was a top-20 team to begin the season and the preseason choice to win the Pac-12. However, the Ducks lost 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) - a likely NBA lottery pick - to a foot injury just after nine games should didn't have the look of an NCAA Tournament team, with a 15-12 record after dropping three straight on a win-less road trip from Feb 16 to Feb 23. All of a sudden, a 79-51 home win against Arizona State sparked a dominant close to the regular season in which Oregon won all four of its games by an average of 18.3 points. The Ducks kept it going in Las Vegas, claiming an automatic berth by winning the Pac-12 title game with their third double-digit victory in four days following Saturday's 68-48 rout of top-seeded Washington.

The 12th-seeded Ducks (23-12) will face No. 5 seed Wisconsin (23-10) in the first round of the South Region in San Jose, Ca. on Friday afternoon. The Badgers finished fourth in the Big Ten (14-6) with a strong finish to the regular season. Wisconsin won FIVE of its last six (lone loss was a double-overtime road loss to Indiana). The Badgers then edged Nebraska in the Big Ten quarterfinals Friday, before bowing out to Michigan State in the semifinals.

Oregon PG Payton Pritchard (12.7-3.7-4.5) was the Pac-12's tournament MVP, averaging 19.3 points and 6.7 assists over the last three games in Las Vegas. Three more guards combine to average almost 20 PPG but a trio of 6-9 frontcourt players have been making 'waves.' Freshman King (12.7 & 5.5), joined by fellow forwards White (10.6 & 3.9) and Wooten (6.2 & 4.6)

The 6-11 Happ leads Wisconsin in scoring (17.5), rebounding (10.1) and assists (4.6). He is the first player in program history to be named to the All-Big Ten first team three times in his career and he's attempting to join LSU's Ben Simmons as the only Division I players over the last 20 years to averaging at least 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.The 6-11 Reuvers (7.8 & 3.8) plays alongside Happ up front The Badgers own a deep backcourt, led by Trice (11.7) & Davison (10.7) plus a trio of other backcourt players who combine for about 16 points per game.

Dana Altman's Oregon teams have been traditionally know for their scoring but this year's edition has won with its defense. The Ducks have forced over 15 turnovers per during their eight-game winning streak and only Arizona State (75 points in overtime) has scored more than 61 points over that span. Then again, don't preach defense to Wisconsin, as the Badgers allow just 61.4 PPG (9th) on 39.3% shooting (11th). Oregon's run ends here, as teams don't out-defense the Badgers!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Iowa at 12:15 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats won the American Athletic Conference tournament championship by beating then-No. 11 Houston 69-57 on Sunday. 28-6 Cincinnati expected a much higher seed than the one it got (No. 7 in the South Region) but looking on the bright side, the Bearcats will only have to travel 107 miles north (Columbus, Ohio) when they take on 22-11 Iowa (10-seed). The Hawkeyes are back 'dancing' after missing out the last two seasons. Iowa was sitting pretty at 20-5 overall on Feb.16 (9-5 in the Big Ten). The Hawkeyes were ranked for 14 weeks in a 16-week span but they crumbled down the stretch in losing SIX of their last eight games, including a 74-53 setback Friday against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. 

6-9 forward Tyler Cook leads the way for the Hawkeyes in scoring (14.9) - on 52.8 percent shooting from the floor - and rebounding (7.9) for the second straight season. The 6-11 Garza (12.9 & 4.4) and 6-7 Baer (6.7 & 4.6) lend solid support. A four-guard rotation is led by Bohannon (11.3 & 3.4 APG) and Wieskamp (10.8 & 4.8). The Bearcats beat Houston behind 33 points from AAC player of the year Jarron Cumberland (18.8-4.5-3.1). Cincy's depth is good, with five more players averaging between 8.0 and 10.1 PPG. A trio of guards chip in about 25 PPG  plus the 6-8 Scott (9.3 & 6.9) and the 6-11 Brooks (8.0 & 6.4) handle the frontcourt. However, Cincy's bread-and-butter is a defense that allows 62.2 PPG (12th) on 40.6% shooting (30th).

The Columbus venue is nice but it's NOT Cincy's home floor. Was Cincy's rousing win over Houston last Sunday to capture the AAC’s automatic bid a confidence-builder or does a "let down" lay in wait for the Bearcats? I will note that Cincy limped into the AAC tourney on an 0-8 ATS run, before going 3-0 (2-1 ATS) to win the title. Remember, this Iowa team was ranked for 14 weeks in a 16-week span. I want ANY points I can get.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Syracuse at 9:57 ET.

Syracuse dropped five of its last seven contests but at 20-13 earned an 8-seed in the West Region. The Orange will met the 9th-seeded Baylor Bears who enter the tourney on a four-game slide. The Bears were picked to finish ninth in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll and lost 6-9 sophomore forward Tristan Clark (14,6 & 6.3) to a season-ending knee injury Jan 8. They have since navigated injuries to senior guards Makai Mason (foot) and King McClure (knee), who each missed several games. Mson averages 14,6 PPG and McClure 8,7 & 5.2. Mason McClure are the only two players on the team with NCAA Tournament experience. If the Bears are going to get past Syracuse, Mason and McClure will need to be at their best.

Junior guard Tyus Battle leads Syracuse with 17.2 PPG but he missed the past two games because of a bruised hip. However, he practiced Sunday and is expected to be close to 100 percent Thursday. PG Howard (8.9 & 2.9 APG) showed some of his offensive ability in the ACC Tournament, averaging 23 points in two games. Part of that was because Battle was sidelined, but if Howard can be more of a scoring threat, Syracuse will greatly benefit. Up front, the 6-6 Hughes (13.4 & 4.4) and the 6-8 Brissett (12.4 & 7.5) should give Baylor fits.

The winner of this contest advances to face No. 1 Gonzaga (barring a Fairleigh Dickinson shocker), so this will likely be a "One & DONE" game. We've seen Boejheim 'work his magic' in the NCAAS before and why shouldn't his match-up zone D give a less than 100 percent healthy Baylor team fits. Syracuse limped into the Big Dance as a No. 10 seed three years ago, after losing five of six. The Orange then ripped off four consecutive victories in a thrilling ride to the Final Four, where they were stopped by North Carolina. Last year, the Orange snuck into the NCAAs after losing four of their last six games but then won a First Four game and two more before narrowly losing 69-65 to Duke in the Sweet 16. Same old, same old for Boeheim. Maybe, Gonzaga had better watch out on Saturday.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Wofford at 9:40 ET.

20-13 Seton Hall of the Big East is a 10-seed in the Midwest Region and will face 29-4 Wofford of the Southern Conference Thursday night in Jacksonville. Yes, Wofford is riding a 24-game win streak but the Terriers' 7-sed raised more than a few eyebrows.  After going 9-9 in conference play, the Pirates played their way off the bubble with a run to the Big East Tournament championship game, where they lost 74-72 to Villanova. Seton Hall is playing in its FOURTH consecutive NCAA Tournament and as a No. 8 seed knocked off North Carolina State 94-83 in the first round. Wofford wanted no part of counting on the Selection Committee and ensured its spot in the field with a fifth Southern Conference Tournament championship in the last 10 seasons (first since 2015). It’s the fifth NCAA Tournament appearance for the Terriers, who still are looking for their first victory.

Myles Powell (22.9) is Seton Hall's go-to guy and he averaged 26 points and 4.7 assists in the Hall's run to the Big East title game. Fellow guard Cale (10.3) is far behind Powell, even though he's the team's second-leading scorer. PG Quincy McKnight (9.5 & 4.0 APG) is a defensive stopper who is likely to draw the tough task of guarding Fletcher Magee (more later). Up front, the 6-8 Nzei (9.2 & 5.3) and the 6-10 Sandro Mamukelashvili (8.9 & 7.8) could give Wofford's frontcourt players trouble but maybe not (more on that in a bit, too)?

The Terriers are one of the most efficient offensive teams in the nation, averaging 83.0 PPG (12th) on 49.3% shooting (10th), which includes 41.6% on threes (2nd). The aforementioned Fletcher Magee (20.5 points) is the Southern Conference's Player of the Year. Backcourt mates Nathan Hoover (13.3) and PG Murphy (7.8 & 3.1 APG) round out the starters. Up front, it's the 6-8 Jackson (14.6 & 7.5) and the 6-9 Aluma (6.9 & 6.8).

The Terriers will have heh motivation to prove they’re worthy of their No. 7 seed, much like Belmont had in proving the OVC school deserved an at-large bid. "Mission Accomplished" for Belmont with its 81-70 win over Temple on Tuesday. It's Wofford's turn here and note that the Terriers were 11-1 ATS in their last 12 league games AND they've out-rebounded 27 of their 33 opponents this season, going 26-1 in those games.  Wofford's headed to a Round of 32 game on Saturday.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Villanova at 7:20 ET.

Villanova is the defending NCAA Tournament champions (two titles in the last three years) and enters the Big Dance after winning the Big East regular-season and tournament titles. 25-9 Villanova earned a modest 6-seed in the South region and opens its quest for third national championship in four years against No. 11 seed Saint Mary's in Hartford, Ct. Saint Mary's was not expected to make this year's field of 68 but it upset then-No. 1 Gonzaga in the WCC championship game, 60-47. Saint Mary's head coach Randy Bennett has led the Gaels since 2001 but 22-11 St Mary's has advanced to the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in the last six years. In contrast, Villanova has made the NCAA Tournament in seven straight years and 14 of the last 15.

Junior guard Jordan Ford averages a team-best 21.3 PPG, after averaging 11.1 last season. The only other St Mary's player in double digits is 6-8 sophomore forward Malik Fitts (15.3 & 7.6). Nobody else on the team averages more than nine points, although the 6-10 Jordan Hunter is a presence on the interior with averages of 7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Villanova relies heavily on guard Booth (18.6-3.9-3.8) and the 6-8 Paschall (16.5 & 6.2), a pair of first-team Big East selections who have been part of both national title winners. Sophomore guard Gillespie (11.1) is the team's third double-digit scorer plus the 6-8 Saddiq Bey (8.4 & 5.3) has emerged in the second half of his freshman season, registering double-digit points in 11 of the last 16 games.

Villanova became the first school to win three consecutive Big East tournaments titles and will likely remember that it was bounced by the Gaels in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. This Hartford venue is a LONG way from St Mary's home in Moraga, Ca and I don't believe the Gaels can beat the defending champs right after upsetting Gonzaga.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Nevada at 6:50 ET

THREE of Nevada’s four losses (Wolf Pack are 29-4) have come in the team's last eight games. Nevada lost 81-76 at Utah St on Mar 2 and then lost in the MWC semis 65-56 to SD State, as a 10-point favorite. As a result, the Wolf Pack drew only a seventh-seed in the West Region and will open against 10th-seeded Florida (19-15) in Des Moines, Iowa. The Gators ended the regular season on a three-game slide but then beat Arkansas (66-50) and top-seeded LSU (76-73) in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, before falling 65-62 to eventual-champion Auburn in the semis.

Mike White's Gator allow 63.6 PPG (21st) and force an average of 14.8 turnovers per contest. Th guard-oriented team has just one double digit scorer in KeVaughn Allen (12.0). Fellow guards Noah Locke (9.6) and Jalen Hudson (9.0) are close behind plus PG Nembhard adds 8.1 and a team-high 5.3 APG. The 6-9 Hayes and SF Johnson both average 8.1 PPG and combine to grab 12.5 RPG.

The Martin twins, Caleb (19.2 & 5.1) and Cody (11.7-4.5-5.1) plus the 6-7 Caroline (17.3 & 9.6) are Nevada's stars. However, six more players contribute about 27 points and 12 rebounds per game. Nevada's D is almost as good as Florida's, as the Wolf Pack allow a modest 66.7 PPG (55th). However, let's NOT ignore that while Florida averages just 68,3 PPG, Nevada averages 80.7 (25th).

Florida is making its third straight Big Dance appearance but its No. 10 seed matches its lowest in 22 appearances since the NCAA tourney expanded to 64 teams in 1985. To say the least, this is not a vintage Florida team! Meanwhile, head coach Eric Musselman’s Nevada team opened 24-1, en route to matching the single-season program record for wins with 29. The Wolf Pack are also in the Big Dance for the third straight season. Last March, with virtually the same roster, the seventh-seeded Wolf Pack rallied from double-digit deficits to beat Texas (87-83) and upended second-seeded Cincinnati (75-73), before losing a 69-68 thriller to eventual regional champ Loyola Chicago in the South semifinals.Can Ne vada make another run? Yes, but FIRST things FIRST. Florida has won at least one NCAA tourney game in its last six appearances but that streak ends right here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situatuional Stunner is on New Mexico St at 1:30 ET.

Auburn reached a high of No. 7 in the AP poll but after a slump fell out of the poll for six weeks. However, Auburn won its final four games of the regular season, including an 84-80 home win over Tennessee. The Tigers then won FOUR games in four days to capture the SEC Tournament title, ending with an impressive 84-64 victory in the SEC final over Tennessee on Sunday, The eight-game winning streak earned 26-9 Auburn the fifth seed in the Midwest Region and a first-round matchup with 12th-seeded New Mexico State in Salt Lake City. The Aggies come in 30-4, after winning the WAC tourney for the third straight year and seventh time in the past eight seasons. New Mexico St routed Grand Canyon 89-57 in Saturday’s title game and the Aggies will bring a 19-game winning streak into the Big Dance.

First-team All-WAC honoree Terrell Brown is the only player on the roster averaging in double figures, scoring 11.3 PPG. Head coach Chris Jans has 11 more players seeing 10 minutes or more of "PT." FIVE of them chip in between 7.5 and 9.8 PPG  New Mexico St plays outstanding defense (64.1 PPG allowed ranks 26th) and is an excellent rebounding team. Bryce Brown (15.8) averaged 16.5 points en route to winning the SEC Tournament MVP. PG Harper adds 15.2 PPG and 5.8 APG and Auburn's best frontcourt player is the 6-8 Okeke averages 11.7 & 6.8. The Auburn bench averaged 26.3 points during the SEC Tournament.

The Tigers have made an SEC record 396 three-pointers and rode that prowess to an eight-game winning streak that produced the school's first conference tournament championship since 1985. As for the Aggies, they are in the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in the past eight seasons but they have been one-and-out in each of their past 10 appearances. In fact, they last won an NCAA Tournament game in 1993, when they beat Nebraska before losing to Cincinnati.

Auburn carries what some call the “anti-angle” of being a major conference tournament winner favored in the NCAA First Round. Auburn relies heavily on an overload of the lowest-percentage of shots (three-pointers) and this game will be played at "altitude." The elevation is customary for New Mexico State which is long overdue for a first-round NCAA win. Upset?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on LSU at 12:40 ET.

22-7 Yale (14th seed) takes on 26-6 LSU (3rd seed) in a first round game from Jacksonville. Yale wrapped up the Ivy League championship with a 97-85 victory over arch-rival Harvard on Sunday to earn the Ivy's automatic bid. LSU coach Will Wade was suspended indefinitely after a Yahoo! Sports report on March 7 detailed his comments from June of 2017 on FBI tape about making an "offer" and a "deal" for current guard Javonte Smart, one of the top recruits in the nation at the time. Neither Wade nor Smart were participants when the Tigers clinched the regular-season title with an 80-59 victory over Vanderbilt (their first title since 2009 under interim coach Tony Benford. However, while Smart played, the Tigers were upset by eighth-seeded Florida in their first game in the SEC tournament

Ivy League Player of the Year Miye Oni (17.6-6.3-3.5) starts in the backcourt with Copeland (13.8). Up front, it's the 6-7 Reynolds (11.4 & 4.5), the 6-9 Bruner (10.2 & 8.3) and the 6-11 Atkinson (9.1 & 5.1). Guards Swain and Phills combine to add about 15 PPG, as Yale averages a healthy 81.1 PPG (24th) on 49.8 percent shooting (9th). LSU's sophomore guard Tremont Waters leads the team in scoring (15.1) and assists (5.9). Fellow guards Mays (13.4) and Smart (11.5) give  the Tigers a strong perimeter group. 6-10 freshman Naz Reid averages 13.7 & 7.2 and many are touting him as a future NBA star (he had 26 & 14 vin the loss to Florida). Like Yale, LSU averages an excellent 81.4 PPG and let me add, vs a much tougher schedule.

The Tigers looked distracted when kicking away their SEC Tourney game to Florida but I'm betting that's "old news." This is just Yale's fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament and its only victory came when the Bulldogs defeated Baylor 79-75 in 2016. Don't expect "lightning to strike twice."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA 35-Club-Play is on the OKC Thunder at 9:35 ET.

The 50-21 Toronto Raptors and the 42-29 Oklahoma City Thunder play the front end of a home-and-home set on Wednesday. The Raptors reached the 50-win threshold for the fourth straight season by routing the New York Knicks 128-92 on Monday, despite All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard being held out to rest. The Raptors have 11 games left and own a four-game lead in the race for the No. 2 seed plus sit three games back of the Bucks for the East's top seed.OKC's three-game slide leaves them with the West's No. 6, just 1 1/2 games behind the No. 4 seed but also just a half-game ahead of the No. 8 seed.

Leonard (27.1 & 7.4) is expected to play here but PG Lowry (14.8-4.8-9.0) suffered an injury to his right ankle in the third quarter of the Knicks game and he could sit out Wednesday. Lowry missed the previous two games with a left ankle injury and told reporters after the contest that the now-injured right ankle was "pretty tender." Serge Ibaka (15.1 & 8.1) will be available again tonight, after a fight-caused three-game suspension. However, it should be noted that the late additions of Gasol (9.5 & 6.9) and lin (8.4) have made the Raptors a deeper AND better team.

Westbrook (22.9-11.1-10.5) served a one-game suspension for drawing his 16th technical foul of the season and missed Monday's 116-107 home loss to the Miami Heat. Dennis Schroder (15.4) moved into the starting lineup in place of Westbrook and scored 20 points but the bench took a major hit without him. The Miami reserves had a 67-10 edge in points as Oklahoma City's bench was 4-of-22 shooting and missed all 10 of its three-point attempts. Paul George (28.3-8.2-4.2) scored 31 points against the Heat and is averaging 30.3 PPG over the past four contests,

The Raptors seem to have settled into the idea that they will be the East's No. 2 seed and their recent form has been less than inspiring, going 10-5 SU but 5-10 ATS in their last 15. Meanwhile OKC needs to focus down the stretch, as the team has legitimate shots at finishing as the West's No. 3 seed or its No. 8 seed! OKC badly needs to end its three-game slide tonight. Westbrook is back and my bet says the Thunder will roll!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* First Four Play (Part 2) is on Arizona St at 9:10 ET.

Bobby Hurley won a pair of NCAA titles as Duke's PG (1991 &1992) and Chris Mullin helped St. John's to the 1985 Final Four, before going on to have an excellent NBA career. The two will now butt heads as coaches, when Arizona State and St. John's meet Wednesday in the First Four at Dayton, looking to advance to a Friday game as the a No. 11 seed (winner will meet No. 6 Buffalo in the West Regional). 22-10 ASU was the Pac 12's No. 2 seed but lost a tough OT game to red-hot Oregon in the semis (Ducks won the Pac 12 tourney). St John's, with the benefit of playing the Big East tourney at MSG (the Red Storm's home-away-from-home), was able to get past DePaul but then got buried 86-53 by a Marquette team seeking double-revenge.

The 6-10 center De'Quon Lake (4.5 & 3.8) starts but adds little, a three guards and three forwards comprise ASU main 'guns.' The 6-8 Zylan Cheatham (11.8 & 10.4) was the only Pac-12 player to average a double-double this season, recording 13 double-doubles. The 6-8 White (8.7 & 5.3) starts alongside of him, with the 6-7 Lawrence (8.7 & 3.6) coming off the bench. 6-4 guard Luguentz Dort (16.1 & 4.3) was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, reaching double figures in 17 of 20 conference games. Sophomore PG Remy Martin adds 13.4 PPG and team-best 5.1 assists. Edwards (11.3) comes off the bench to give ASU four double-digit scorers.

St John's features five double digit scorers, including four guards. PG Ponds leads the way (19.5-4.2-5.2 ), followed by Heron (14.9 & 4.7)), Figueroa (14.3 & 6.2) and Simon (10.4). The 6-7 Clark (10.8 & 45.4) is the lone frontcourt player of note. St John legend Chris Mullin is in his fourth season as head coach and has made steady improvement.

St. John's is making its first NCAA appearance under Mullin and the Red Storm last made the NCAA Tournament in 2015.

The Red Storm opened the season 12-0 but then went 8-10 in Big East play (also lost a non-conference game to Duke on ), before losing to Marquette in the Big East tourney (after beating DePaul). “St. John’s was the last team in,” NCAA Tournament selection committee chair Bernard Muir said on CBS after the bracket was revealed and note teh Red Storm haven't won a Big Dance game since 2000. Meanwhile, ASU is playing well, winning SIX of its last eight games. After Friday's 79-75 overtime loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 semifinals, Hurley proved prophetic by telling reporters: "When the committee looks at our season, I think that we’ll be rewarded for being great in the non-conference, beating the No. 1 team in the country at one point (Kansas in December) and having a very strong effort in the league.”

Arizona State is in the First Four for the second consecutive season, but this time around, Hurley is bringing a much better team to Dayton. Last year's team relied too heavily on the three-point shot and didn't have enough easy offense to get past Syracuse in the First Four, losing 60-56. This year's team is bigger and more balanced. St John's Clark will be over-matched by Cheatham, White and Lawrence plus ASU's trio of guards is plenty good enough to 'hang' with St John's excellent perimeter quartet. Arizona State is making back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 1981 and Hurley "gets it right" this year against a St John's team that is just 2-5 over its last seven games, with all losses coming by double digits. A win will set up a Friday game against Buffalo, a school he led to a 42-20 record as its head coach from 2013-15, before taking the Sun Devils reins. See you Friday.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the LA Clippers at 10:35 ET.

The 44-27 Indiana Pacers are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference as they continue a four-game road trip against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on Tuesday. The Pacers enter off a 106-98 loss Monday night at Portland. A Miami Heat loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, or a Pacers victory, would have clinched a playoff berth for Indiana but neither happened. Losers of seven of their last 11, the Pacers visit the 41-30 Clippers, who are closing in on wrapping up a Western Conference playoff berth. The Clipps have won SEVEN of eight and are six games clear of the ninth-place Sacramento Kings with 11 left to play.

Indiana center Center Myles Turner (13.3 & 7.0) scored a season-best 28 points against Portland to fall three points shy of his career high but PF Thaddeus Young (12.5 & 6.5) was on the other end of the spectrum as he scored a season-low two points on 1-of-8 shooting. With Oladipo (18.8-5.6-5.2) out for the season, SF Bogdanovic 917.8 & 4.1), big man Sabonis (14.2 & 9.1, despite just FIVE starts), PG Collison (11.3 & 6.0 APG) and swingman Evans (9.8) are the main contributors, They have recently been joined by SG Mathews (12.5 PPG in 15 games), a late addition from the Mavs t

LA sixth-man man Lou Williams (20.4 & 5.2 APG) buried a three-pointer as time expired to provide the club with a 119-116 win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Along SF Gallinari (19.4 & 6.1) and 6-8 PF Harrrell (16.4 & 6.7), the trio represents the core of LA's team since the NBA trade deadline when the Clippers made three separate moves to alter a roster that was fighting for playoff eligibility. When the Pacers earned a 116-92 home win Feb 7 over the Clippers, leading scorer Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, Mike Scott, Marcin Gortat, Milos Teodosic and Avery Bradley never made it to Indiana that night. Clippers players who had yet to arrive by then, but have since helped the team to an 11-4 record while solidifying L.A.'s playoff chances include, Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Jamychal Green, Garrett Temple and Ivica Zubac.

So LA takes the court 11-4 in its last 15, including wins in SEVEN of its last eight. In stark contrast, the Pacers enter having lost SIX consecutive road games (1-5 ATS). It may come as a surprise to many that the "left for dead" Clippers are just ONE game behind San Antonio (No. 5 seed) and 2 1/2 games back of the No. 4 seed. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry 

My 9* First Four Opoener is on Belmont at 9:10 ET.

Fran Dunphy is a Philadelphia sports icon, having coached Penn for 17 years and now 13 years at Temple. Dunphy announced prior to this season that 2018-19 would be his his final season as a college basketball coach and he's going in style, as Temple is back to the NCAA Tournament. The 23-9 Owls won six of their final seven games before falling to Wichita State 80-74 in the quarterfinals AAC Tournament and likely needed every one of those wins to sneak into the field of 68. The Owls will play Belmont in a First Four game for the 11-seed in the East Regional (winner will play 6-seed Maryland on Thursday). The 26-5 Belmont Bruins were the No. 1 seed in the OVC but were upset by Ja Morant and Murray State in the conference title game. However the Selection Committee gave them a reprieve with an at-large bid (one of seven for a Mid-Major). This marks Belmont's eighth NCAA Tournament but its first with an at-large bid (note: this is the first at-large bid for an OVC team in 32 years!).

The announcement of Belmont's at-large selection brought veteran coach Rick Byrd to tears. I'm emotional right now," he said to The Tennessean in Nashville Sunday. "I get that way about those I care about, and I feel that way about this team. We were hopeful but you never know. This is an unbelievable accomplishment for this team and this program. Belmont is led by 6-8 "big guard" Dylan Windler, who averages 21.4 PPG (shoots 43% from three) and an impressive 10.7 RPG. Fellow guard McClain adds 16.3 PPG plus PG Murphy (9.8-4.5-6.6) make up a terrific perimeter trio. Belmont enters the tourney as the second-highest scoring team in Division I behind Gonzaga at 87.4 PPG and its 49.9 percent from the floor ranks fourth-best. It's good news that the 6-11 Nick Muszynski (14.9 & 5.9), who missed the conference title game with an ankle injury, is expected to play.

Temple is led by American Athletic Conference scoring leader Shizz Alston (19.7 PPG), who also leads the AAC in free throw percentage (90.7), minutes per game (37.1) and ranks second in assists (5.0). The Owls also have an outstanding perimeter group, as Rose adds 16.5 PPG and Pierre-louis (13.3 & 5.7). At issue is the lack of much of  a frontcourt presence, as the 6-10 Aflokoi (5.9 & 7.0) and the 6-7 Moorman (5.8 & 4.1) are not major contributors.

Looking closer, Temple's Rose is just 12-of-42 (28.6 percent) from long distance over his last nine games and Pierre-Louis has failed to surpass his scoring average in any of his last four games. Noting the likely return of Belmont big man Muszynski, he has 65 blocks while Temple has only 72 as a team. Dunphy has been an NCAA regular (16 previous appearances with Penn and Temple), but he's won his first game just THREE times (he's NEVER won a second game / 3-16 overall). I will admit that Belmont is winless in seven previous Big Dance appearances but Belmont IS the better team here (87.4 PPG on 49.9% shooting) and I believe won't miss this "at-large" opportunity to finally get the school's first-ever NCAA win. Expect more tears from Rick Byrd and Maryland had better watch out come Thursday.

Good luck...Larry

My NIT 10* Game of the Week is on Memphis at 8:00 ET.

The San Diego Toreros finished seventh in the West Coast Conference and lost in the semifinals of the MWC tourney to eventual champion Saint Mary's. At 21-14, the Toreros didn't even bother to hold a team watch party on Sunday night to view the selection show, feeling chances were so slim at garnering the school's first-ever NIT invite. However, San Diego was the 32nd and final team announced to the NIT field (the 6-seed in the TCU bracket). Often, schools invited to the NIT experience a letdown, disappointed after failing to garner a spot in the NCAA Tournament. That is clearly NOT the case with San Diego.

However, San Diego opens its first-ever NIT game against a school that is also FAR from being disappointed to be playing in the NIT. 21-13 Memphis is headed to a postseason tournament for the first time since the 2013-14 season as the No. 3 seed in the TCU bracket. The Tigers' last trip to the NIT came in 2010 and Memphis won the tournament in 2002. Under first-year head coach Penny Hardaway, Memphis forced its way to the edge of the Big Dance bubble with a late-season run that ended with a three-point loss to Houston in the AAC semifinals last Saturday.

The Toreros are led by an impressive trio of seniors. The 6-7 Pineiro (19.1 & 9.5) will be the best player on the floor, supported by a pair of veteran guards in Carter (14.8) and Wright (13.8 & 4.7 APG). That said, Memphis counters with a superb pair of seniors, as well. PG Martin leads the team in scoring (19.6), assists (4.4) and steals (2.2) and was a first team All-AAC pick. Up front, it's 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport (13.2 & 7.1). Hardaway loves to use multiple players, as while freshman guard Tyler Harris (10.6) also averages in double figures, SIX more Tigers chip in between 4.8 and 8.5 PPG.

I wish these teams weren't playing each other but that's the luck of the draw. Memphis was 15-12 SU at home during the regular season (lost to only Tennessee and Cincinnati), while averaging about 85.0 PPG. The Tigers got to play on their home floor (FedExForum), beating Tulane 83-68 and UCF 79-55, before barely losing 61-58 to Houston (31-3 and 11th-ranked in the final AP poll). Memphis will likely have to win on the road the rest of the way in this year's NIT but that's NOT the case here. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Pho Suns at 10:05 ET.

It's a battle of bottom-dwellers as the 19-52 Chicago Bulls visit the 17-54 Phoenix Suns. However, while the Bulls enter 1-7 over their last eight games (lone win was a 108-107 upset of the 76ers in Chicago). In Chicago's seven losses in that stretch, the Bulls are 1-6 ATS. As for the Suns, they are finishing an otherwise difficult season with some much-improved play of late (have won of six of their last 10 contests, after ending a franchise-worst, 17-game losing streak. )

The Bulls have lost FIVE straight, including the first two of their current three-game road trip. They allowed 73 second-half points and had just two starters hit double figures in Sunday's 129-102 loss at Sacramento, which dropped them to 2-12 on the road against Western Conference opponents. The Phoenix Suns appeared headed to double-overtime or perhaps losing on a last-second shot when the New Orleans Pelicans rolled the ball inbounds with 1.1 seconds remaining in overtime of a tied game Saturday. However, New Orleans' head coach Alvin Gentry inexplicably called a timeout his team didn't have. Instead, and Devin Booker made the go-ahead technical foul shot (Suns went on to post a 138-136 victory).

Chicago's starting-five combined to go 20-for-52 from the floor at Sacramento, while totaling 11 assists and 10 turnovers in Sunday's loss. As for Phoenix, Booker (25.5-4.1-6.8) is now a bonafide All-Star and the overall NBA's No. 1 pick (Auyton) is averaging a double-double on the season at 16.2 & 10.3. Then there is small forward Kelly Oubre Jr, who is taking advantage of his opportunity since being acquired from the Washington Wizards. He scored a career-best 32 points against New Orleans and is now averaging 16.8 & 4.9 in his 40 games with the Suns (he's averaging 20.2 PPG since the All-Star break).

The Suns have a heavy dose of home games to finish the season and will play SEVEN of their next nine at home, including five versus sub-.500 teams. That stretch begins tonight with tonight's matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Suns win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

The surprising Denver Nuggets are 46-22, leaving them just one game back of Golden St for the West's best record. Meanwhile, the disappointing Boston Celtics sit 43-27, leaving them one back of the 4th-seed Pacers and two games back of the third-seeded 76ers in the East. The two teams meet for the second time this season, as the NBA season enters its final weeks. The first meeting came way back on Nov 5, with Nuggets earning a 115-107 win at Pepsi Center, as Jamal Murray scored 48 points. Murray jacked up a last-second three-pointer to try to reach 50 in that contest and Boston guard Kyrie Irving wasn't happy, throwing the basketball into the stands after the buzzer and drawing a fine. Now seriously, does anyone think that's a motivating factor?

A motivating factor is the two teams' current standings and as noted, both are in important 'battles' for playoff position. The Nuggets are led by center Jokic, who leads Denver in scoring (20.3), rebounding (10.7) and assist (7.6). Denver has fought through countless injuries this season (to many key players) but almost ll are healthy now and behind Jokic, Denver has NINE players averaging between 8.0 and 18.3 PPG (includes Thomas and his 8.6 PPG in nine games). An issue here will be Denver's lack of success on the road vs the league's best teams (more in a second).

PG Irving (23.7 & 7.1 APG) doesn't seem content in Boston (understatement?) but his production can't be questioned. He sat out a Mar 6 game at Sacramento but has played all four since, topping 30 points in THREE of them. Boston can almost match Denver's depth and it's hard to ignore the team's excellent 26-10 home mark, with the Celtics averaging 115.1 PPG.

Now back to Denver's road woes vs quality opposition. Since winning at Toronto back on Dec 3, the Nuggets have lost at San Antonio (111-103), at Houston (125-113), at Utah (114-108), at Philly (117-110), at San Antonio again (104-103) and at Golden St (112-105). Why NOT expect another Denver loss here at TD Garden?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Rout is on Michigan at 3:30 ET.

Michigan is 10th in the latest AP poll but opened the Big Ten tourney as the No. 3 seed behind No. 3 Purdue and No. 6 Michigan St. Purdue lost its first tourney game to Minnesota, while Mich and Mich St have each won two straight to advance to Sunday's title game at the United Center in Chicago. Michigan now gets a third crack Michigan State, which owns wins of 77-70 and 75-63 over the Wolverines. The Spartans are positioned for a potential No. 1 NCAA tournament seed with a win Sunday and the stakes are high for the Wolverines, as well. A win would likely elevate them to a No. 2 seed and would also enable them to get the last word in a rivalry that is beginning to approach Duke-North Carolina in terms of national interest.

Michigan's 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (14.9 & 5.2) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Guards Poole (12.8) and Matthews (12.3 & 5.0) join him in double digits. However, let's not forget PG Zavier Simpson (9.3-5.0-6.5), who earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. In fact,  the junior PG scored 15 points and dished nine assists Saturday as Michigan routed Minnesota 76-49 for its 10th straight Big Ten tournament victory. That came less than 24 hours after a 10-point, 11-assist performance in a 74-53 blowout of Iowa. Throw in 7-1 center Teske (9.6 & 6.8) and John Beilein has a core that has Michigan on the cusp of a third straight Big Ten championship.

Michigan State never trailed in a 67-55 win over Wisconsin on Saturday, as the Spartans led 27-10 just over 12 minutes into the game. However, the win might have come with a price. PG Cassius Winston (19.0 & 7.5 APG) scored 21 points and dished out six assists but played the second half at less than 100 percent and limped off the floor when he was subbed out for good in the last minute (he's gritty but has a very bothersome ankle). Remember, MSU has already lost shooting gaurd Langfors d (15.0), who hasn't played in 2019. Up front, MSU is loaded with the 6-8 Ward (14.4 & 6.4), the 6-8 Tillman (9.5 & 7.0) and the 6-7 Goins (8.5 & 9.0)..

Great coaching matchup between Beilein and Izzo but I just HAVE to play Michigan in this "double-revenge" situation, as the Wolerines make it a 'lucky' 11th straight Big Ten tourney win.

Good luck...Larry.

My 8* play is on Cincinnati at 3:15 ET.

Short and sweet with this pick. 31-2 Houston is the AAC's top seed and will try for a three-game sweep of second-seed Cincinnati  (27-6) this season when the teams meet in the American Athletic Conference Tournament final on Sunday in Memphis. Both clubs were tested in Saturday's semifinals as the No. 11 Cougars held on to defeat third-seeded Memphis 61-58, before the No. 24 Bearcats ousted sixth-seeded Wichita State 66-63.

Houston lost to Cincinnati 56-55 in the 2018 AAC Tournament final but has defeated the Bearcats 65-58 back on Feb 10 and won at Cincinnati 85-69 on March 10 to capture the conference's regular-season title. These teams aver VERY similar, Both have superior defenses, are led by prolific guards and have veteran leadership. The Cougars are allowing 61.0 PPG (8th), while holding opponents to 36.5% shooting (1st). Cincy allows a modest 62.4 PPG (12th). Cincy PG Jarron Cumberland (18.6 & 3.7) was named AAC player of the year, while many thought Houston guard Corey Davis Jr. (16.8) was going to win it.

Expect another game like last year's 56-55 Cincy win. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on St Louis at 1:00 ET.

The Saint Louis Billikens and St. Bonaventure Bonnies will square off this Sunday afternoon at the Barclays Center in the for the A-10 tourney championship. The sixth--seeded Saint Louis Billikens (10-8) will be looking to punch their first ticket to the NCAA Tournament since 2014, after upsetting the second-seeded Davidson Wildcats, 67-44. The fourth-seeded St. Bonaventure Bonnies (12-6) come into the championship game playing some of their best basketball of the season and had no trouble reaching the finals after defeating the 8th-seeded Rhode Island Rams, 68-51 on Saturday.

St Louis was led by guard Javon Bess (15.4 & 6.6), who had 24 points and seven rebounds in the win over Davidson. St Louis shot 48.1% from the floor while holding Davidson to just 25.9% shooting. Bess is joined by fellow guards Isabell (13.9-4.3-4.7) and Goodwin (10.4-7.3-3.5) in double figures. A trio of frontcourt players combine for 24.2 PPG and 16.9 RPG.

St Bonaventure used a 13-0 run at the end of the 1st half to trail by just a 29-27 margin. The Bonnies were then able to pull away from the Rams in the 2nd half after a 14-0 run gave the Bonnies a 64-46 lead. Guard Kyle Lofton (14.7) led the way with 23 points. 6-5 SF Stockard (14.8 & 5.4) is St Bonny's leading scorer and has help up front from the 6-6 Griffith (10.7 & 6.0) and 6-10 freshman Osunniyi (7.6 & 6.6).

St Bonaventure may be 14-6 in A-10 play, while St Louis is 12-8 (includes tourney wins), but the Billikins are 22-12 on the season, compare to St Bonny's 18-15 mark. In fact, this is a very talented St Louis team which had solid wins against Seton Hall, Butler, & Oregon State in non-conference play. The Bonnies have over achieved this season, as it looked like they would be more in rebuilding mode after losing both Jaylen Adams (19.8 & 5.2 APG) & Matt Mobley (18.1 & 5.0) from last year's 26-8 NCAA team. The Bonnies defeated the Billikens by a 66-57 margin at home in early Ma Birch but the Billikens get their revenge in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Tennessee at 1:00 ET.

No. 8 Tennessee (29-4) overcame an eight-point deficit in the final 2:58 on Saturday to defeat No. 4 Kentucky 82-78 in one semifinal, while No. 22 Auburn (25-9) used its trademark three-point shooting and quick hands on defense to defeat Florida 65-62 in the other. The two SEC tournament survivors, 3-seed Tennessee and 5-seed Auburn, are both tired but Auburn will really be tested, playing its FOURTH game in four days. It’s been 34 years since Auburn won the SEC Tournament and six years longer since Tennessee accomplished the feat. One of those droughts will end.

Guard Brown (15.7) and Harper (15.4 & 5.8 APG) lead the way and Auburn's only other double-digit scorer is 6-6 forward Okeke (11.6 & 6.6). Auburn has made an SEC-record 381 three-pointers, including 13 against Florida. The Tigers have won six straight and eight of their last nine, including a March 9 home victory over Tennessee (84-80) that cost the Vols a first-place finish in the regular season.

The Vols have won five of their last six games, with the lone defeat coming at Auburn. 6-7 junior forward Grant Williams (19.2 & 7.5) was named SEC Player of the Year for the second straight season. Senior wing Admiral Schofield (16.6 & 62.) also earned first-team recognition and junior PG Jordan Bone (13.4) leads the SEC in assists with 6.2 per game. Guards Bowden (10.5) and Turner (10.0) make it five double digit scorers for the Vols, while the 6-11 Alexander (7.6 & 6.6) supports Williams up front.

Auburn is playing for the championship for the first time since 2000 and seeking its first tournament title since 1985.Meanwhile, Tennessee is playing in its second consecutive SEC Tournament title game but it hasn’t won the crown since 1979.Something's gotta give! Rick Barnes has "done it" at Providence, Clemson and Texas and now is poised to break through at Tennessee. His first two teams went 15-19 and 16-16 but lastarera's team went 26-9. At 29-4, this year's team could end the Vols' long SEC tourney drought, as well as give Barnes his third 30-win season (did it twice at Texas with Elite-8 teams). Expect Auburn to 'run out of gas' and for the team's three-point shots NOT to fall with regularity.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on the LA Lakers at 12:05 ET.

To say the least, LBJ's first year in LA has been a major disappointment. The Lakers are 31-38 and while they have yet to be officially ruled out of the postseason, it's just a matter of time. James (27.4-8.6-8.0) sat out Los Angeles' 111-97 setback at Detroit on Friday due to what the team referred to as "load management" connected to the groin injury that sidelined him for a month earlier this season. The Lakers were playing the second half of a back-to-back set, with James logging nearly 32 minutes in the club's 111-98 loss to Toronto on Thursday. It's also noteworthy that LBJ wasn't wasn't the only member of his team sitting out vs. the Pistons. Lonzo Ball (ankle), Tyson Chandler (neck), Brandon Ingram (right arm) and Lance Stephenson (toe) were also spectators as Los Angeles went on to lose for the SEVENTH time in eight games.

However, expect LBJ to play here in MSG vs the hapless Knicks, who are 13-56, including 6-26 at home. The Knicks are inching closer to locking up the worst record in the NBA, having lost EIGHT in a row, after capping an 0-3 road trip with a 109-83 loss at San Antonio on Friday (Knicks are now three games behind Phoenix in the league basement). New York has some physical issues of its own with PG Dennis Smith Jr. (14.6 PPG in 17 games with NY) missing the game in San Antonio with a back issue and forward Noah Vonleh leaving the contest due to an ankle injury. Center DeAndre Jordan came one assist shy of recording his first career triple-double for the Knicks vs the Spurs but while he's averaging 11.5 & 12.2 in his 13 games with New York, the Knicks have gone 1-12 in those games.

No reason to expect LBJ to NOT play here and the Lakers have to be in the mood to win a game once in awhile, especially against the sad-sack Knicks, who beat them at Staples Center 119-112 back on Jan 4..An important note with that one is that neither James nor Kuzma (18.^ & 5.7) played in that contest, while for the Knicks, Tim Hardaway Jr. (22 points) and Enes Kanter (16 & 15 off the bench) are both playing for other teams now.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is a 9* on Yale at 12:00 ET.

The 18-10 Harvard Crimson and the 21-7 Yale Bulldogs meet in the Ivy League championship game from the John J. Lee Amphitheater on Sunday afternoon. The two schools tied for first-place in the regular season (10-4) but Harvard has beaten Yale in both meetings this year, so comes in as the No. 1 seed. However, the game will be played on Yale's home floor ( John J. Lee Amphitheater), where the Bulldogs have gone 11-2.

Yale bested Princeton 83-77 in a semifinal game on Saturday, as leading scorer Miye Oni (17.6 & 6.4) led the Bulldogs with 23 points. Fellow guard Alex Copeland (13.4) had 16 points, as did forward Blake Reynolds (11.7 & 4.5). Yale has SEVEN players seeing 20 minutes or more this season, chipping in between 7.0 and 17.6 PPG.  The Bulldogs shoot 49.4% as a team (9th-best in the nation), while averaging 80.6 PPG (26th).

Harvard began the season without its two best players, forward Seth Towns (16.0 & 5.7 LY) and guard Bryce Aiken (14.1 LY). Towns hasn't played at all but Aiken has returned to play the team's last 15 games. Aiken led the Crimson with 19 points in Saturday's 68-65 win over Penn and that's no surprise. He's averaging 21.7 PPG, more than DOUBLE that of any other Harvard player. Harvard is averaging almost 10 points less per game than Yale, at 71.0 per.

As already noted, Harvard has won both regular season meetings, including Feb 23 at this venue by the score of 88-86. The Crimson score 1d7 points higher than their season's average in that game, making 50.9% from the floor, while getting to the FT line 27 times to Yale's 10 (outscored the Bulloigs 22-8 at the line). Think that will happen again? I sure don't.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NCAAB 10* Game of the Year is on Washington at 10:30 ET.

Washington is currently 26-7 and won the Pac 12's regular season title by three games. The Huskies should be "off the bubble" but the Pac 12 gets little respect (deservedly so this year), so Washington hopes to win its first conference tournament title since 2011 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Standing in the way is 22-12 Oregon, the Pac 12's preseason favorite. However, the Ducks' season was derailed early, when 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) was lost for the season after just nine games. Oregon finished 10-8 in league play (No. 6 seed) but have now beaten Wash St, Utah and Arizona St to reach the title game. Are the Ducks now a possible at-large team?

The sixth-seeded Ducks won their SEVENTH straight game and third and in three nights on Friday, knocking off No. 2 seed Arizona State 79-75 in overtime to move within one win of an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. "I'm really happy for the guys," Oregon head coach Dana Altman said (note: Altman became the all-time leader by winning his 18th Pac-12 Tournament game, moving past Arizona's Sean Miller). "Washington will be a tough game. We played them just a week ago and we played really good against them. I hope we can muster up the same kind of effort." The Ducks have made their late winning run thanks to some strong defense, holding their last seven opponents to an average of 55.1 PPG. Junior PG Payton Pritchard (12.5-3.7-4.4) is the lone returning starter from the Ducks' 2017 Final Four squad but so many others have stepped up this season. 6-9 freshman forward Louis King (13.1 & 5.8) plus another a pair of 6-9 forwards, senior White (10.5 & 3.9) and sophomore Wooten (6.3 & 4.6) have been noteworthy.

Washington opened the second half last night with a 25-5 run and held Colorado to 20 percent shooting, including 2-of-16 on three-pointers, after the break in rallying to defeat the Buffaloes 66-61 in the other semifinal. Huskies' head coach Mike Hopkins lobbied after Friday night's win that 6-5 senior guard Matisse Thybulle (9.4 & 3.1), who had 12 points, three blocks and a steal to move into a tie with Gary Payton for the Pac-12 career steals record of 321, should be the national defensive player of the year. FIVE Huskies finished in double figures last night, led by sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell (16.5-5.4-3.2), the Pac-12 Player of the Year, and 6-9 sophomore forward Nahziah Carter (8.0 & 2.6), who both finished with 14 points.On the season, guard Crisp (12.7) and the 6-8 Dickerson (12.4 & 7.5) joined Nowell in double digit scoring.

I noted at the top that an at-large bid may not be coming to the loser of this game. Washing would be a favorite to get one but the Huskies sure don't want to 'sweating' Selection Sunday. More motivation is provided by the fact that Oregon spoiled Washington's Senior Night last Saturday by handing the Huskies their ONLY home loss of the season, 55-47. Four wins in four days is just too much to ask of the Ducks against the avenging Huskies!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the SA Spurs at 8:35 ET.

Both teams played last night, making home floor advantage that much more important. Especially at this time of year. Playing the second game of a back-to-back is never easy, but in the final month of the season it can be excruciating. Especially when both games are on the road. The Blazers pulled away for a 122-110 win at New Orleans last night, while the Spurs posted a relatively simple 109-83 home win over the Knicks, resting many of their starters down the stretch.

The 42-26 Blazers are a half-game up on the Rockets in a battle for the West's No. 3 seed and the Rockets are just a half-game up on the 5th-seeded Thunder. It will be quite a finish. The Spurs have won SEVEN in a row and are now 40-29. San Antonio is safely inside the playoff 'cut line' (6 1/2 games clear) but "don't look now," the Spurs are just THREE games back of the Blazers.

The win over the Knicks gives San Antonio a 27-7 home mark (22-12 ATS) and the Spurs will take a NINE-game home winning streak into this contest .The home team has won and covered the first three meetings between these teams this season and the Spurs have defended their homecourt well in this series, taking 10 of the last 12 SU (9-3 ATS) over the last four years. At this price, San Antonio offers great value!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Western Ky at 8:30 ET.

The Old Dominion Monarchs and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet at the Ford Center at The Star in the C-USA championship game. ODU won the regular season title at 13-5, while Western Ky finished in a four-way tie for second at 11-7. The Monarchs are coming off a 61-59 win over the UAB Blazers and enter having won NINE of their last 11 games. The Hilltoppers are coming off a 70-59 win over the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and have won NINE of their last 12.

Old Dominion features a dynamic one-two guard duo of Stith (17.0 PPG and 7,5 RPG are both team highs) plus PG Caver (16.7-4.4-5.5). Defense is key for ODU, as the Monarchs also just 60.9 PPG (7th-best in the nation). Western Ky will own the best big man in the game, the 6-10 Bassey (14.6 & 100). The Hilltoppers also have an excellent trio of guards, who combine to chip in just under 40 PPG (Hollingsworth leads the way at 14.6 per).

The Monarchs won both meetings against Western Kentucky this season, games in which they controlled the pace and kept the Hilltoppers in check defensively. However, both games were played on ODU's homecourt, due to C-USA's "bonus play" schedule (new this season). ODU was able to hold Western Ky in check but beat them by just FOUR and THREE points on their home floor. Western Ky now gets ODU in a neutral-site setting and the Hilltoppers are a money-making 46-21 ATS in their last 67 neutral site games. Meanwhile, the Monarchs are just 18-37 ATS in their last 55 vs Conference USA opponents and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games (0-2 in this tourney, so far.). No home cookin' for ODU in this one and the "double-avenging" Hilltoppers make the third time a 'CHARM!' 

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Villanova at 6:30 ET.

The Wildcats are defending NCAA champs (won TWICE in the last three years) and after rallying past Xavier on Friday to escape with a 71-67 overtime win, 'NOVA can become the first team ever to win three straight Big East Tournament titles when they face Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. 24-9 Villanova routed Seton Hall by 28 in the first matchup on Jan.27 but the Pirates won the rematch 79-75 on March 9. Third-seeded Seton Hall (now 20-12)) outlasted Marquette late Friday night, escaping with an 81-79 win .

Myles Powell (22.9) led the way for Seton Hall with 22 points and seven assists. He's made at least four 3-pointers in five consecutive games and scored at least 20 points in six straight. The 6-8 Michael Nzei (9.2 & 5.3) had 15 rebounds on Friday - five more than his previous season high - and added 14 points for his second double-double of the season. Guard Cale (10.3) is the only other Seton Hall player averaging in double digits.

Clutch baskets from seniors Phil Booth (28 points!) and Eric Paschal got 'Nova through vs Xavier. Booth (18.7-3.9-3.8) and the 6-8 Paschall (16.5 & 6.2) earned All-Big East honors. Sophomore guard Gillespie (11.3) is a third double digit scorer for the Wildcats. Note that 6-9 sophomore Jermaine Samuels (5.9 & 5.4) had 17 points against Xavier (delivered some clutch baskets of his own), his third double-digit scoring effort in the last five games following an 11-game run of single-digit scoring efforts.

Villanova needed OT to get past Seton Hall in last year's Big East title a game and BOTH teams remember. BOTH teams earned hard-fought wins last night (Seton Hall's games vs Marquette was brutal) but I'm siding with the champs at this price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Kansas at 6:00 ET.

I noted in taking Iowa St last night against Kansas St, that the Cyclones have grown to love playing here in Kansas City's Sprint Center. After all, the 5th-seeded Cyclones have won THREE of the last five Big 12 Tournaments, all at the Sprint Center. Marial Shayok (18.7) came up big down the stretch for Iowa State in Friday's 63-59 semifinal victory over top-seeded Kansas State, draining two key three-pointers and two insurance free throws over the final 1:55, as the Cyclones moved to 11-2 in Kansas City since the start of the 2013-14 season. Michael Jacobson (11.4 & 6.0), the lone Cyclone starter who stands taller than 6-6, pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds Friday to tie a school record for the most rebounds in a Big 12 Tournament game

Iowa State is unbeaten in four previous title games but to move to 5-0, the Cylones will have to get past third-seeded and 18th-ranked Kansas. The Jayhawks famously failed to win a 15th straight Big 12 regular season title but Kansas has won this tournament 11 time. The 6-9 Dedric Lawson (conference-best marks of 19.2 points and 10.4 rebounds) bounced back from a poor offensive effort by his standards in Thursday's quarterfinal win over Texas with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting and eight rebounds in last night's 88-74 win ovr West Va. Freshman guards Quentin Grimes (8.3 points) and Devon Dotson (11.9-3.7- 3.6 assists) each had solid games. Grimes added 18 points (his best offensive output since a 19-point outburst vs the Cyclones on Jan 5), while Dotson continued his recent steady play with 13 points, five rebounds and six assists (he's averaging 15 points over his last three games).

Iowa St can claim the Sprint Center as its "home away from home" but don't tell that to the Jayhawks. Kansas improved to 41-9 all-time at the Sprint Center with last night's win, including 3-0 this season. What's more, ALL eight of Kansas' losses this year have come in true road games, meaning that the Jayhawks are 22-0 at home and in neutral site games this season, Make that 23-0 !

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Utah St at 6:00 ET.

The San Diego State Aztecs and the Utah State Aggies will meet in the MWC championship game from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Aztecs advance to this game by taking down No. 14 Nevada, 65-56 (as a 10-point underdog ). PG Devin Watson led the Aztecs with 20 points on 5 of 10 shooting and the 6-10 Jalen McDaniels added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double. McDaniels averages 16.2 & 8.4) and Watson 15.9-3.1-4.2), as the duo has led SDSU all season.

Utah St had little trouble in taking out Fresno State in the semifinals by a final score of 85-60. Sam Merrill led the Aggies with 22 points, while fellow guard Diogo Brito (8.4 & 4.3) added 20 points and seven rebounds. Merrill is the team-leader is points (21.1) and assist (4.3), while the 6-11 Queta has been the team's best inside player (11.7 & 8.9). Queta had 10 points and a team-high 13 rebounds last night.

The Aztecs shocked observers by winning this tourney last year and are now poised to "do it again." However, I'll say, "Not so fast!" The Aggies tied Nevada (15-3) during the regular season but know if there is an at-large bid coming from the MWC, it's Nevada, NOT Utah St. The Aggies come in having won 16 of their last 17, with the LONE loss coming at San Diego St. Yes, the Aggies avenged that loss with a 16-point home win on Feb 26 but 27-6 Utah St almost HAS to know it's win or the NIT tonight!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Memphis at 3:00 ET.

Houston opened its postseason by easily handling UConn (No. 9 seed), 84-45 in the AAC quarterfinals on Friday afternoon, Houston reached the 30-win mark (30-2) for the first time since the days of Phi Slama Jama more than 35 years ago. The Cougars now set their sites on a second straight trip to the American Athletic Conference Tournament title game but standing in their way are the fifth-seeded Memphis Tigers. The Tigers entered the tournament needing to do some work to impress the NCAA Tournament selection committee and they just might have turned some heads with a 79-55 victory over fourth-seeded Central Florida on Friday to reach 21-12.

Kelvin Sampson's team is a perimeter-oriented group, as the team's top-five scorers are guards.Corey Davis Jr. (16.8) led the way vs UConn with 22 points and PG Galen Robinson Jr. (8.1 & 5.1 APG) added 16. Davis has been above his seasonal average in five straight games, averaging 23 points in that span.Some good news for Houston is, none of its starters played more than 30 minutes in the rout over UConn and 10 players scored for the Cougars.

Memphis took apart UCF Friday afternoon, despite the AAC's leading scorer Jeremiah Martin (19.5-4.1-4.5) making just 1-of-6 from the floor!  Junior forward Isaiah Maurice (just 6.0 PPG on the season) was the catalyst, scoring a career-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting. The always steady 6-8 senior Kyvon Davenport (13.4 & 7.1)  contributed his 10th double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The only meeting between these teams this year came in Houston back on Jan 6. The Cougars won that one 90-77 but this game is on Memphis' home floor, the FedExForum. Memphis comes in having won SIX of seven and after its rout of UCF, sits 16-2 SU here at home. Note that the Cougars were favored by eight points on their home floor back on Jam 6, so why are they again favored by that number here on Memphis' home floor? Good question. I say the answer is, Memphis is not getting enough respect. Expect Martin to rebound from his poor Friday performance and also look for Davenport to be a big factor, as Houston does not have much of any inside presence. This is a 'home dog' and I expect the Tigers to 'bark' LOUDLY!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on St Bonny's at 1:00 ET.

It's A-10 semifinal action Saturday  from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, as  Rhode Island takes on St Bonaventure. The Rams upset VCU 75-70 on Saturday, the A-10's No. 1 seed, The Rams' leading scorer, PG Jeff Dowtin(15.4 & 3.8 APG) keyed the win with 22 points. Fellow guard Tyrese Martin (8.1 & 5.1) added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. The team's top frontcourt player, the 6-8 Cyril Langevine(14.7 & 10.0), had a modest seven points but nine rebounds.Meanwhile, St Boony's knocked off the George Mason Patriots 68-57. PG Kyle Lofton (14.4 & 3.7 APG) scored 20 points, as did fellow guard Dominick Welch (Welch averages just 6.7 PPG on the season).

Rhode Island comes into this contest on a six-game winning streak but one wonders if the Rams just might suffer a bit of a "let down" off beating VCU, which won the A-10 with a 16-2 record. The Bonnies' are equally hot. These schools met just once in the regular season, as Rhode Island won 75-63 at home back on Jan 16. St Bonny's lost its next game in OT at home to Dayton but since then has won 11 of 14! .

St Bonny was 12-6 in A-10 play (now 13-6 with the win over George Mason) and is simply the better team, playing with revenge. St Bonaventure plays excellent D (63.7 PPG ranks 21st in the nation) and expect them to easily handle the Rams.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Oregon at 11:30 ET.

Arizona State found itself being mentioned as a potential NCAA bubble team heading into the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas. The second-seeded Sun Devils (12-6 in Pac 12 play) cruised to an 83-72 victory over UCLA in Thursday's quarterfinals and at 22-9 on the season, have a chance to build on their at-large resume when they face Oregon in Friday's semifinals at T-Mobile Arena.The Ducks were the preseason favorite in the Pac 12 but when 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) was lost for the season after just nine games, those hopes went with him. Oregon finished 10-8 in league play (No. 6 seed) but have beaten Wash St and Utah to reach 21-12 on the season. Could the Ducks climb into at-large consideration with a win here?

Junior PG Payton Pritchard (12.3 & 4.3 APG) is the lone returning starter from the Ducks' 2017 Final Four squad but so many others have stepped up this season. 6-9 freshman forward Louis King (12.4 & 5.5) joined Pritchard by scoring 20 points in the quarterfinal victory over Utah. Also making impacts are a pair of 6-9 forwards, senior White (10.4 & 7.8) and sophomore Wooten (6.4 & 4.6). 6-9 freshman forward Francis Okoro tied a Pac-12 tournament record with six blocks.Defense was the key in the win over the Utes, as Utah was held to 34 percent shooting, including 2-of-23 from 3-point range,

Arizona State led by as many as 23 points early in the second half in its Thursday victory over the Bruins The Sun Devils had five players in double figures in the win, led by forward Romello White, who had 19 points and seven rebounds. Most of ASU's scoring comes from the team's three-headed guard rotation of freshman Dort (16.1 & 4.3)., PG Martin (13.7 & 5.2 APG) and Cleveland State transfer Edwards (11.2). The 6-8 Cheatham adds 11.1 & 10.5, while forwards White and  Lawrence combine to chip in 17.5 & 8.9.

ASU head cioach Bobby Hurley made it clear afterward that he felt his team, with non-conference wins over Kansas, Mississippi State and Mountain West co-champion Utah State, had done enough to warrant an invite to March Madness for the second straight year. "I'm going to start by saying after this game, 'What uncertainty?' " Hurley said when the topic of his team's at-large prospects was brought up. "Yeah, it's a big step (reaching the semifinals)." Could ASU be "satisfied?" That could be a concern, as Oregon's Dana Altman is one terrific coach (Altman is tied with Arizona's Sean Miller for most coaching wins in the Pac-12 tournament with 17). Sixth-seeded Oregon j\has won SIX straight game  and since allowing UCLA to score 62 points in the second half of a 90-83 loss on Feb 23, hasn't allowed a team to score 62 points in a game. Quack! Quack! 

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Late-Breaker is on Duke at 9:00 ET.

27-5 Duke is ranked 5th in the latest AP poll, while North Carolina (with an identical 27-5 mark) is ranked 3rd. Carolina is the No. 2 sedd in the ACC and Duke No. 3, as the two schools renew their storied rivalry in the ACC Tournament semifinals Friday at Charlotte, N.C. It doesn't get much better than this for college hoops fans.EVERYONE knows the set-up. Zion Williamson, the Blue Devils' freshman phenom, suffered a knee injury in the first minute of the first meeting (Feb 20) between the two schools, as the Tar Heels romped 88-72 at Duke. North Carolina again prevailed 79=70 this past Saturday, in Chapel Hill.

The 6-7 Williamson (21.9 & 9.0) missed the five games that Feb 20 contest but made a triumphant return in Duke's 84-72 victory over sixth-seeded Syracuse in Thursday's quarterfinals. He showed no rust at all on Thursday, making all 13 of his field-goal attempts in a dominating performance that included 29 points, 14 rebounds and five steals.

RJ Barrett (23.3-7.5-4.1) and Williamson are 1-2 in the ACC in scoring, with freshman guards Reddish (14.0) and Jones (8.9 & 5.4 APG) rounding out this special class.

The Tar Heels opened with an 83-70 victory over seventh-seeded Louisville on Thursday for their EIGHTH straight win. Freshman guard Colby White (16.4 & 4.2 APG) led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. However, North Carolina's two 'main guns' are senior guard Johnson (16.8 & 5.9) and 6-9 senior Maye (14.8 & 10.4).

Duke averages 84.1 PPG (7th) and North Carolian 86.5 PPG (3rd). North Carolina and Duke each have 101 victories in the ACC Tournament and have combined to win 38 of the 65 titles. I hesitated on this, wondering if Duke was "too obvious" but in the end decided I HAVE to take Coach K in this "double-revenge" scenario and live with it.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Tennessee at 9:30 ET.

Tennessee spent four weeks as the AP's No. 1 team this season but squandered an opportunity to earn a share of a second straight SEC title with a late-season meltdown, including blowing an 11-point lead in an 84-80 loss at Auburn last Saturday. The now eighth-ranked Volunteers, who dropped to the third seed for the SEC Tournament, will look to correct some of their mistakes when they open SEC tourney play against sixth seed Mississippi State in a quarterfinal matchup Friday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Mississippi jumped out to a 15-point halftime lead Wednesday against 11-seed Texas A&M and rolled to an 80-54 win over the Aggies. That victory sets up a rematch with a Tennessee team that posted a 71-54 home victory over the Bulldogs back on March 5, in the only game between the teams this season.

Quinndary Weatherspoon, an All-SEC First-Team performer (18.3 & 4.8) had a modest 12 points but nine rebounds and three steals on Thursday, as the 23-9 Bulldogs all but guaranteed their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2008-09. PG Peters (11.6 & 5.2 APG) and fellow guard Carter (10.7) give Miss St a solid trio of perimeter players. Up front, it's a pair of 6-10 players, freshman Perry (9.7 & 7.0) and senior Holman (9.3 & 6.2).

6-7 junior forward Grant Williams (19.3 & 7.7 rebounds), who shot 57 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the foul line, was named SEC Player of the Year for the second straight season. Senior wing Admiral Schofield (16.3 & 6.3) also earned first-team recognition and junior PG Jordan Bone (13.4) led the SEC in assists with 6.1 per game. Guards Bowden (10.5) and Turner (10.3) make it five double digit scorers for teh Vols, while the 6-11 Alexander (7.5 & 6.7) supports Williams up front.

As noted, Miss st has all but clinched an NCAA at-large bid and I strongly believe the Bulldogs are in the WRONG place at the WRONG time in this one, After running off a school-record 19 consecutive victories and spending four weeks at No.1, Tennessee has gone 4-3 in its last seven games, albeit all by opponents projected to safely make the NCAA Tournament. "It really goes back to the other three losses we had this year, they pretty much played out the same way, with too many threes and not getting to the foul line enough," Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes. Getting back on the court (and WINNING) has to be major priority for Barnes' team, after that late collapse cost the Vols a share of the SEC's regular season title. Blowout alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Michigan at 9:25 ET.

26-5 Michigan is 10th in the latest AP poll but opens the Big Ten tourney as just the No. 3 seed. Michigan begins its quest for its THIRD straight Big Ten Tournament championship when it takes on 22-10 Iowa, the No. 6 seed. Iowa got off to a hot start and never looked back last night, routing 11-seed Illinois 83-62. The Hawkeyes had lost their previous four games to fall out of the national rankings but came out firing on all cylinders as they knocked down six 3-pointers in the first half before finishing 12-of-23 from beyond the arc,

The 6-6 Baer (6.9 & 4.6) came off the bench to knock down five 3-pointers en route to a team-high 17 points. He's part of a frontcourt trio that includes teh 6-9 Cook (14.9 & 8.) and the 6-11 Garza (12.8 & 4.4). Joe Wieskamp (11.1) scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor, to go along with seven rebounds. He joins Bohannon (11.7) ansd Moss (9.1) as Iowa's top perimeter people.

Michigan's 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (15.0 & 5.3) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Guards Poole (13.0) and Matthews (12.8 & 5.1), join him in double digits. However, let's not forget PG Zavier Simpson (9.1-5.1-6.3), who earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Throw in 7-1 center Teske (9.7 & 6.7) and John Beilein has a core that could just earn Michigan that third straight Big Ten championship.

Michigan head coach John Beilein has had his team ready to play at a high level entering the Big Ten tournament the past two seasons and why not here. Up first is Iowa, which embarrassed Michigan 74-59 Feb 1 in Iowa City, when Michigan shot a woeful 32.3% from the floor (8-33, 24.2% on threes). Iowa shot 45.6% in that game (including 6 of 14 from long range) but will face a 'mean' Michigan defense allowing 58.8 PPG (2nd-best in the nation). Iowa is hoping to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2006 but that won't happen here vs Michigan, which has won EIGHT straight Big Ten tourney games (7-1 ATS).

Good luck...Larry.

My 8* Puck-Line Las Vegas Insider is on the Colorado Avalanche (9:05 EST).

The Ducks come in off a loss in Arizona just last night, putting them 12 points out of eighth place with ten games remaining. The Avs have had three whole nights off and their primed now to try and finish up the season on a high note, starting with this favorable home matchup vs. this “dog tired’ Ducks team. 

Note that Anaheim has lost its last five games in the second game of the back-to-back scenario. 

Colorado’s been off since an 3-0 loss to Carolina on Monday. The Avs are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but they have plenty of opportunity to solidify a spot over the final month.

Colorado is 4-1 in its last five as a home fav in the -150 to -200 range, while Colorado is just 2-7 in its last nine in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation. 

I’m laying the 1.5 goals for the healthy return and expecting a blowout once the final horn sounds.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

Go figure the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons had won 12 of 14 before losing 103-75 at Brooklyn and then 108-74 at Miami. Detroit scored just eight third-quarter points and 25 in the second half of Wednesday's loss to the Heat, It's about our mental fortitude and coming out and having a better mindset at the beginning of games, myself included," Pistons power forward Blake Griffin told reporters. "I'm not excluding myself from that at all. If we have any fight about us at all we'll come out and rectify that." Detroit welcomes the Lakers to town tonight, who limp in off a 111-98 loss at the Toronto Raptors last night. LA has lost EIGHT of its last 10 games and the team is now 7 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

LBJ (27.4-8.6-8.0) scored 29 points against Toronto but only played 32 minutes, as his playing time was reduced for the fourth straight game with the playoffs being a slim possibility. The Lakers have already lost Ingram (18.3-5.1-3.0) and Ball 9.9-5.3-5.4) for the season and could be without LBJ here, as it's expected he won't play in back-to-back situations.

Detroit center Andre Drummond (17.3 & 15.2) saw his franchise-record-tying streak of 19 consecutive double-doubles come to an end against Miami, as he had just five points and nine rebounds before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. It wasn't good news that PG Reggie Jackson (15.2 & 4.3 APGsprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter. If he's out,  the roles of backups Ish Smith and Jose Calderon will expand. Rookie Bruce Brown and Luke Kennard could also get some minutes at the point.As always, Blake Griffin (24.9-7.7-5.4) will be counted on heavily.

Detroit head coach Dwane Casey is miffed at the collapses as his club sits seventh in Eastern Conference playoff race with not much margin for error. "For two games in a row now, we didn't come out in playoff mode," Casey told reporters. "There's nothing schematically. There's nothing X-and-O wise. It's our approach. We have to understand at this time of year ... the only thing you can do is scrap and play hard."The again, here's the bottom line. The Lakers have ZERO motivation and let's NOT ignore that the Pistons are on a 7-0 SU & ATS run at home since Feb 4, while averaging a WHOPPING 122.4 PPG. The number seems high but LAY IT!

Good luck…Larry

My 8* play is on Iowa St at 7:00 ET.

25-7 Kansas St is the Big 12's No. 1 seed but 21-11 Iowa State has grown to love playing here in Kansas City's Sprint Center. After all, the 5th-seeded Cyclones have won THREE of the last five Big 12 Tournaments, all at the Sprint Center. The Cyclones dropped five of six to close the regular season but their confidence did not appear to be shaken at any point during Thursday's 83-66 victory against Baylor. Meanwhile, Kansas State won for the SIXTH time in its last seven tries with Thursday's 70-61 triumph against TCU, turning an 18-9 edge in turnovers into a 22-4 advantage in points off miscues.

One of the main reasons for Iowa State's fade down the stretch was the team's lack of efficiency beyond the arc. However, Iowa State made 13 of its 25 three-point attempts in downing Baylor. Leading scorer Shayok (18.6) finished with 18 points and has now scored at least 17 points in 25 of his 31 outings. The undersized Cyclones start four guards, along with the 6-9 Jacobson. FIVE of the team's top-six scorers are guards, while Jacobson adds 11.6 & 5.1. The Big 12's Sixth Man of the Year Lindell Wigginton has scored 16 or 17 points in four straight contests.

Kansas St may be the No. 1 seed but All-Big 12 forward, the 6-10 Dean Wade (12.9 & 6.2), is expected to miss the entire tournament with a foot injury. Junior 6-5 forward Xavier Sneed (10.3 & 5.4) who stepped up Thursday with 19 points (including 16 in the second half), seven boards and five assists. However, guard Barry Brown (team-high 15.0 points) shot only 5-of-16 vs the Horned Frogs.

Many have called the Sprint Center "Hilton (Coliseum) South."They may just be right. The Cyclones looked VERY comfortable vs Baylor and note that Iowa State is 11-1 when making 10 or more three-pointers. Meanwhile, without Wade, Kansas St struggled with TCU, getting a win mostly due to poor and SLOPPY play by the Horned Frogs. The Wildcats can't count on that from the Cyclones. Iowa St heads to Saturday's championship game.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddmaker's Error is on Memphis at 2:30 ET.

23-7 Central Florida impressed with consecutive wins against ranked teams earlier this month and now hopes to make a run in the American Athletic Conference Tournament. The Knights handed Houston its only home loss of the season 69-64 on March 2 and held off visiting Cincinnati 58-55 five days later, before ending the regular season with a loss at Temple. The 4th-seeded Knights (13-5) will take on 20-12 Memphis, which is the AAC's fifth-seed (11-7). The Tigers recorded a season-high 52 points in the first half  yesterday, rolling to an 83-68 victory over Tulane.

Jeremiah Martin (19.7 & 4.6) scored 21 points in Thursday's win and is an AAC first-team selection. Martin is averaging 28.3 PPG over his last 11 contests. 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport (13.3 & 7.0), who had averaged just 7.5 points the final four games of the regular season, scored 17 on Thursday and hauled in seven rebounds. Fellow senior forward Mike Parks Jr. recorded his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds against Tulane, after managing 25 and 22 total, respectively, in his previous six outings.

UCF is led by an outstanding backcourt duo. Senior guard B.J. Taylor (16.2) and junior guard Aubrey Dawkins (15.4 & 5.1) was an American second-team pick. 7-6 senior center Tacko Fall was a third-team selection, averaging 10.9 PPG on 75.1 percent shooting (tops in the nation),  to go along with team highs of 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

Conference tourneys are typically neutral-site games but NOT here. The FedEx Forum is Memphis' home court and the Tigers are 15-2 on their home court this season (lost to Cincy and Tenn), including a 77-57 victory over UCF on Jan 27. In that contest, the Tigers held UCF’s starters to 32 points on 13-of-38 shooting from the floor. Deja vu? I say yes, as UCF may be a little complacent off those late-season wins at Houston and home against Cincinnati. Memphis was a slight favorite at home vs UCF (-1.5) and won by 20! Why would the Tigers be getting ANY points here at home in this one?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on LSU at 1:00 ET.

LSU (26-5 / 16-2) is the SEC's No. 1 seed but the Tigers will be without head coach Will Wade. The coach and school are embroiled in controversy amid a federal corruption probe tied to recruiting. Wade has been suspended and interim coach Tony Benford, who guided LSU to its 80-59 win over Vanderbilt in the regular-season finale Saturday, is expected to call the shots in today's game against the 18-14 Florida Gators. Florida knocked off Arkansas 66-50 in Thursday's second round to snap a three-game slide and is hoping a win over the SEC's top-seed would cement an at-large bid to the Big Dance.

Freshman forward Keyontae Johnson (7.9 & 6.0) scored a career-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds in Thursday's win. Senior guard KeVaughn Allen scored 17 points versus Arkansas after four straight single-digit efforts. He's Florida's top scorer at a modest 12.1 PPG. Freshman PG Andrew Nembhard (7.9 & 5.3 APG)  recorded eight assists for the second straight game.Florida's counts on its "D," which allows only 63.3 PPG (20th).

LSU freshman guard Javonte Smart, LSU's fourth-leading scorer at 11.5 PPG, did not play for the Tigers against Vanderbilt. The school has yet to decide whether he will suit up for today's game. However, 6-10 freshman forward Naz Reid (13.3 & 6..9), who missed the win over the Commodores with injuries sustained at Florida three days earlier, has practiced this week and is expected to play. The Tigers are led by All-SEC first teamer Tremont Waters, a sophomore guard who paces the team in scoring (15.3 PPG), ranked third in the SEC in assists (5.9) and was second nationally in steals (3.1), which garnered him a co-Defensive Player of the Year honor in the conference. Junior guard Skylar Mays is also a noteworthy player, averaging 13.6 PPG.

These schools split two OT affairs this season, so I'm not expecting an LSU romp. However, with this line, a romp is NOT needed. The Tigers won their last five games of the regular season to claim the conference regular-season crown for the first time since 2009, so do NOT expect them to 'flame out' in their SEC tourney game.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Long Beach St at 11:30 ET.

It's a Big West tournament quarterfinal matchup from the Honda Center in Anaheim late tonight, as the 14-18 Long Beach State 49ers (8-8 in league play) take on the 18-12 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (9-7). The 49ers started conference play 2-0 but lost EIGHT of their next nine games to fall to 3-8, before rattling off FIVE straight wins to finish the regular season at .500 in conference play. Hawaii started conference play off at 2-0 and 4-2. The Warriors made it to 7-4 before a three-game losing skid brought them back to a .500 mark in conference play. However, Hawaii rebounded by finishing the regular season with back-to-back road victories to get above .500 in Big West play and lock up the #4 seed (LBSU is the no. 5 seed).

The 6-9 Jack Purchase led the Warriors with 11.5 PPG and 6.0 RPG. The 6-8 Raimo (11.4 & 5.9) checked in right behind him. Hawaii owns a solid trio of guards in Stansberry (11.3), Stepteau (10.4 & 3.4 APG) and Buggs (8.9-.4,3-5.4). The 49ers are led by PG Booker (18.9-3.4-4.5), who will be the best player on the floor. He's joined in the backcourt by Alberts (10.7). Up front, it's the 6-7 Yussef (11.0 & 6.5), the 6-7 Byars (7.8 & 6.2) and the 6-9 Riggins (6.6 & 5.4).

Hawaii finished the regular season in California (won at UC-Davis and CS-Fullerton), so has remained on the mainland. However, Long Beach will right at home in Anaheim, just a 20-minute drive away. What's more, I have to side with long-time LBSU head coach Dan Monson, who has some extra time to tweak things after finishing the regular season a week ago Wednesday. "Double-revenge" works in this one and don't be surprised to see the 49ers still playing on Saturday.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Seton Hall at 9:30 ET.

19-12 Georgetown is seeded 6th in the Big East tourney and will take on 18-12 Seton Hall, which earned the No.3 seed despite the fact that both schools were 9-9 in league play (tie-breakers decided the seedings). The Hoyas are off an 86-84 win in their regular season finale at Marquette, while to the Pirates snapped a three-game slide with victories over Marquette and Villanova (Big East's top-two teams) to close out the regular season.

6-10 center Govan leads the Hoyas is scoring (17.6) and rebounding (7.6) but most feel freshman guards James Akinjo (13.7 & 5.4 APG) and Mac McClung (13.4) are the real reason the Hoyas produced their first winning season in four years. The 6-7 LeBlanc (9.4 & 7.5) was a nice complement to Govan up front.

Seton Hall has 'ridden' guard Myles Powell all season, the No. 2 scorer in the Big East at 22.6 PPG. The Big East Player of the Year award will likely go to either Powell or Marquette's Markus Howard, but Powell may have settled the debate with the way he played over the final five weeks of the regular season. He scored 17 points or more in each of the final 10 games, averaging 25.5 points over that span. Fellow guards McKnight (9.4 & 4.1 APG) and Cale (10.4 & 4.3) are solid backcourt partners plus up front, the 6-10 Mamukelashuili (8.8 & 7.6) and the 6-8 Nzei (9.1 & 4.9) are capable of battling Govan to a draw.

Seton Hall owns wins over over Kentucky (neutral site) and at Maryland earlier thsi year and teh Pirates surely realize a loss here would really negatively effect the team's at-large chances. My bet says Powell is the 'wild card.' He is one of four players to earn unanimous All-Big East first-team honors along with Howard (conference-high 25.0 points) and Villanova's Phil Booth and Eric Paschall. I noted earlier his 25.5 PPG average over his last 10 games but he got it done in other ways too, averaging 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.4 steals in those final 10 contests. What's more, he has averaged 28.8 PPG in his last four games. "The Hall" is the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Tulsa at 8:00 ET.

Short and sweet with this one. SMU crushed Tulsa 77-57 back on Jan 12 and sat at 11-5 on the season. However, the Mustangs enter the AAC tourney having lost 11 of their last 14 games (now 14-16 overall, including 6-12 in league play). The Mustangs own a veteran backcourt featuring McMurray (17.8) and PG Whitt (12.1-6.5-4.1) plus two solid frontcourt players in the 6-9 Chargois (12.5 & 6.3) and the 6-8 Miller (11.9 & 5.4).

Tulsa 8-13 on the season (8-10 in conference play), led by swingman Jeffries (13.0 & 5.7). Four guards average between 5.2 and 8.7 PPG, with PG Taplin (8.7 & 4.1 APG) being the best of the group. Up front, it's the 6-8 Igbanu (12.6 & 5.7) and 6-7 (9.8 & 4.9). Tulsa is the better-balanced team and I'm not sure why a team that's lost 11 of 14 could have been installed as the slight favorite in this one. Tulsa wins comfortably.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the OKC Thunder (7:05 EST).

OKC had lost eight in a row ATS from Feb 14 thru Mar 5 but comes in 3-1 SU & ATS. Currently tied with Houston for No. 3 seed in the West with Portland just a half-game back (no margin for error down the stretch / top-four seeds get homecourt in first round). Off a win over Brooklyn last night, clearly Paul George will be looking to keep the momentum rolling here.

Note that just one of the Pacers' 11 wins since Victor Oladipo's season-ending injury in late January has come against a team that is currently .500 of better!

The Thunder have to be feeling confident here as well, as they’d take both meetings vs. the Pacers last season, including a 100-95 road victory. 

OKC remains 4.5 games behind the Warriors for the top spot after GS won in Houston last night. But with a chance to gain ground on both teams with another victory tonight, I’m expecting the visitors to keep the foot on the gas from start to finish.

I think it’s important to note as well that the Thunder are a solid 6-4 in the second game of back-to-backs this year, averaging 112.2 points and conceding 106.2 in those instances.

For all the reasons listed above, play on the Thunder.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* SEC Tourney G.O.Y. is on Ole Miss at 7:00 ET.

17-14 Alabama will square off with 20-11 Ole Miss in the second round of the SEC tourney on Thursday night. The winner gets second-seeded and fourth-ranked Kentucky in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Crimson Tide went 8-10 in SEC play (No. 10 seed), after falling 82-70 to Arkansas on Saturday to conclude a 2-6 end to the regular season. Meanwhile, Ole Miss rallied from a double-digit deficit to upend Missouri and reach 20 victories (10-8 in the SEC / No. 7 seed).

Freshman PG Kira Lewis Jr.earned all-conference freshman team honors. He leads the Crimson Tide in scoring at 13.9 points per game and is the second-youngest Division I player in the nation. Petty (10.6 & 4.4) joins him in double digit scoring in the backcourt, while three more guards combine to chip in 20.5 PPG. 6-9 senior forward Donta Hall leads the SEC in double-doubles (13) and is Alabama's main (only?) frontcourt presence (10.5 & 8.5)..

Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason media poll but the Rebels, under first-year head coach Kermit Davis, experienced a remarkable turnaround in Davis’ first season as coach. Junior guards Breein Tyree (18.5-3.0-2.9) and Terence Davis (15.5-5.8-3.4 points) combine to form the highest-scoring duo in the SEC. Two more guards, Shuler (10.1-4.1-3,0) and Hinson (8.1) add excellent depth. Up front, the 6-8 Stevens (8.4 & 4.5) is the best performer but two others combine to add 11.6 & 7.4.

Ole Miss opened the season 14-3, going a remarkable 15-2 ATS. No way the team could have kept up that pace but the Rebels did win EIGHT more games than a season ago (the eight-victory jump is the largest among all Power 5 teams this season!). Hard to believe Ole Miss WON'T remember its lone meeting with Alabama this season, a 74-53 loss at Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss may have already clinched an at-large bid but NO WAY Davis will let his team get complacent. Alabama limps in 2-6 in its last eight games (1-7 ATS), having failed to score more than 70 points in ANY of those eight games (note: The Tide are 2-10 this season when held under that mark!). Expect the Rebels to win here (COMFORTABLY), making Selection Sunday a formality.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late-Breaker is on Marquette at 7:00 ET.

St John's opened 12-0 in non-conference play but a three-game losing streak to end the regular season left the Red Storm in a serious at-large predicament. St John's seemed to have an NCAA Tournament at-large bid locked up before two losses to Xavier sandwiched around a second setback of the current season to DePaul. However, the Red Storm  took care of DePaul 82-74 in Wednesday's opening round, as the Blue Demons went 4 of 20 on three-pointers. St John's would  likely could cement an NCAA Tournament berth with a win Thursday evening against 23-8 Marquette, the Big East's No. 2 seed. The Golden Eagles lost twice this season to seventh-seeded St. John's but more importantly enter this game having lost FOUR in a row!

Junior PG Shamorie Ponds leads the Red storm in scoring (19.7) and assists (5.3) with four more players averaing in double digits. Sophomore guard LJ Figueroa (14.6) leads the team in rebounding at 6.3 per plus guard Heron (an Auburn transfer) chips in 15.1 & 4.8. The 6-7 Clark (11.1 & 5.4) and junior guard Justin Simon (10.3-4.9-3.2) round out the group (Simon was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year).

Marquette's Markus Howard (25.0-3.9-4.0) was just named the Big East Player of the Year. However, Howard was relatively quiet over his final five games during the regular season, shooting just over 35 percent from the floor and barely over 31 percent from three-point range during that stretch. The Hauser brothers have supported Howard all season, with 6-9 junior Sam adding 14.8 & 7.1 and 6-9 freshman Joey chipping in 9.8 & 5.3. That said, Sam Hauser (like Howard) has struggled lately, with performances of three points and seven points, shooting 1-of-7 and 2-of-11 from the floor in two of his last three games.

So will Marquette 'roll over?' I CAN'T see that. The Red Storm beat Marquette by 20 in early January and by one in early February. If that alone wasn't motivation enough, how about the Golden Eagles current four-game slide which began with a 67-61 loss at Villanova on Feb 27. Steve Wojciechowsk's team is TOO good to go out with a loss in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on UNLV at 5:30 ET.

The MWC tourney moves into its second day with games at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. SD State is 19-12 overall and UNLV enters 17-13 (both were 11-7 in league play). The Aztecs enter having lost THREE of four, after an 81-53 defeat at the Nevada Wolf Pack. Meanwhile, the Rebels won consecutive contests to end the regular season after squeezing by the Colorado State Rams 65-60 as a small road underdog.

SDSU will have the best big man on the floor in the 6-10 McDaniels (16.0 & 8.1) plus PG Watson (15.7 & 4.2 APG) will be the game's best backcourt player. However, I like UNLV's depth a little bit more in this one. Clyburn (13.9 & 5.3), Hardy (13.2) and PG Robotman (9.5 & 5.0 APG) are a solid trio plus after UNLV lost its best frontcourt player early in the season (the 6-7 Juiston, who averaged 10.8 & 8.8), a couple of big men have developed over the season. They are the 6-9 Ntambwe (11.9 & 5.5) and the 6-11 Mbacke Diong (7.0 & 6.8).

This game is being played on UNLV's homecourt and while clearly it no longer offers the domianting advantage it once did, I like the Rebels in this 'double revenge" situation from the regular season. UNLV lost 60-59 at home to SDSU back on Feb 23 but overall, the Rebels ended the season winning FIVE of seven (only other loss was to then-No. 8 Nevada). The THIRD time will be the 'CHARM' (win & cover!) for the Rebels!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on Iowa St at 12:30 ET.

The 20-11 Iowa State Cyclones (9-9 in Big 12) will square off against the 19-12 and Baylor Bears (10-8) at the Sprint Center Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tourney. The 5th-seeded Cyclones got to as high as No. 17 in this year's AP poll but will enter this game having lost FIVE of their last six games. The 4th-seeded Bears  suffered a huge blow after losing the 6-9 Tristan Clark (14.6 & 6.3) halfway through the season but the Bears survived to win 19 games overall, including going 10-8 in league play.

The undersized Cyclones start four guards, along with the 6-9 Jacobson. FIVE of the team's top-six scorers are guards, led by senior Marial Shayok (18.7 & 5.1). Jacobson adds 11.6 & 5.1). Guard Makai Mason(14.6) took over as Baylor's leader when Clark went down but he has an injured foot (he is listed as probable).

I noted already that Iowa St comes in having lost five of six but Baylor lost its last three games, including a shocking 67-64 loss at home to Oklahoma State (Bears are 0-4-1 ATS their last five games). Simply put, Iowa State is the more talented team and playing with "double revenge" (ISU lost by THREE and FOUR points!), should be able to handle a Baylor team that can't match the Cyclones offensive 'punch' (ISU averages 77.7 PPG / 60th in the nation) and doesn't have the size to hurt Iowa St up front.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on St John's at 9:30 ET.

St John's opened 12-0 in non-conference play but a three-game losing streak to end the regular season leaves the Red Storm in a serious at-large predicament. St John's seemed to have an NCAA Tournament at-large bid locked up before two losses to Xavier sandwiched around a second setback of the current season to DePaul, The team's 8-10 league mark leaves them as the Big East's No. 7 and with a first round game against 15-11 Blue Demons (the No. 10 seed with a 7-11 record). DePaul finished with its most Big East wins (seven) in 12 years and had won two in a row prior to a 91-78 loss at Creighton to finish the regular season. .

Senior guard Max Strus, an All-Big East second team selection, leads the way at 19.0 PPG, as a well as adding 6.1 RPG (he erupted for a career-high 43 points in the 92-83 win over the Red Storm earlier this month). Five more DePaul players average between 7.2 and 13.3 PPG, including the team's top rebounder, the 6-9 Reed (11.2 & a Big East-leading 8.2 RPG).

Junior PG Shamorie Ponds ranked third in the Big East in scoring (19.8), second in assists (5.2) and first in steals (2.6) during the regular season en route to a first team selection. He is one of five players on the team who average at least 10 points per game. Sophomore guard LJ Figueroa (14.6) leads the team in rebounding at 6.3 per. Guard Heron (an Auburn transfer) chips in 15.0 & 5.7, the 6-7 Clark (11.2 & 5.9) plus junior guard Justin Simon (10.0 PPG) was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

These schools have never met in the Big East tournament but it's impossible to ignore that the Blue Demons are an awful 2-11 in Big East tourney play, including first-round exits in each of the last four years. MSG is St John's defacto "home arena" and with DOUBLE-revenge on its mind, expect St John's to win going away.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on North Texas at 9:30 ET.

My 3-in-1 STP is based on "double-revenge" games. I've offered a detailed analysis in St John's over DePaul but with North Texas over FIU and UAB over MTSU, I'll make it SHORT & SIMPLE. North Texas sat 20-4 (8-3 in C-USA play) on the morning of Feb 9 but lost its final SEVEN games of the regular season. Two of the losses came at FIU (19-12 / 10-8), 57-47 (Feb 14) and 73-58 (Mar 9). C-USA began bonus play-in games towards the end of the regular season, setting up North Texas losing to FIU with both games being played in Miami. This game is in Frisco, Tx, a site MUCH more favorable to the mean Green. Play North Texas.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on UAB at 7:30 ET.

My 3-in-1 STP is based on "double-revenge" games. I've offered a detailed analysis in St John's over DePaul but with North Texas over FIU and UAB over MTSU, I'll make it SHORT & SIMPLE. The Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee (11-20 / 8-10) found ways to beat the UAB Blazers (18-13 / 8-10) twice within a four-day span, 71-65 at home on Jan 30 and 79-79 at UAB on Feb 2. However, the bottom line is this. UAB is the superior team. The third time WILL be "the charm!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big East Tourney Game of the Year is on Butler at 7:00 ET.

Butler has gone 'dancing' in 10 of the previous 12 seasons but at 16-15 overall entering the Big East tourney, will need to capture the championship to make it to the Big Dance in 2019. Providence is just 17-14 overall and is a VERY unlikely at-large pick, so the Friars face a similar scenario as Butler. In this contest, Providence seeks its third win over Butler in a span of just over two weeks, as the eighth-seeded Friars take on the ninth-seeded Bulldogs in the first round of the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden (both schools were 7-11 in league play).

The Bulldogs had a couple of wins over SEC teams (Ole Miss and Florida) during a 9-4 non-conference slate and then split their first six conference games while eyeing a fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth, but it's been a downward trend ever since. Butler finished the regular season with a 1-4 slide Junior guard Kamar Baldwin leads the way with 17.5 PPG and  was an All-Big East second team selection. Senior guard Paul Jorgensen (11.8 PPG) was named Big East Sixth Man of the Year. The Bulldogs have talent up front, with the 6-6 McDermott (9.7 PG) being the top scorer. The 6-11 Brunk (7.7 & 3.7) and the 6-10 Folwer (5.4 & 3.6) share time at center, while 6-7 Duke transfer Tucker (9.4 & 4.4) has been a solid addition since becoming eligible in mid-December.

6-7 Diallo is a big guard who leads the Friars in scoring (16.1), rebounding (8.2) and assists (3.1). Five more perimeter players chip in about 37 points per game. However, the only frontcourt player of note is the 6-10 Watkins (11.7 & 5.2). Noteworthy coming into this tourney are freshman guard AJ Reeves, who missed nine games in the middle of the season due to a foot injury bur scored 24 points against Butler last week. Senior guard Isaiah Jackson is averaging 18.3 points - nearly double his average for the season - over his last three games.

Yes, Providence has won 10 of 13 matchups since Butler joined the Big East and Butler is just 1-5 in Big East tourney play. However, I have to believe the LAST team Providence wanted to face in its first Big East games was Butler. The Friars beat the Bulldogs twice in their last four games, in overtime on the road and then by 13 points at home. Butler will definitely be gunnin’ for Providence. Look at the line, the two-time loser this season opened a one-point choice. 

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on TCU at 7:00 ET.

Eighth-seeded TCU (7-11) meets No. 9 seed Oklahoma State (5-13) at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo on Wednesday night in the Big 12's first round. However, while the Horned Frogs are 19-12 overall, the Cowboys limp in just 12-19. TCU's NCAA Tournament hopes for an at-large bid were helped by the team's Big 12 regular-season finale win at Texas (TCU won 69-56). OSU will not be playing in the postseason but the Cowboys, who dismissed four players from the team in January, will enter the Big 12 tourney on a roll after consecutive wins to end the regular season, 67-64 at Baylor and 85-77 against West Virginia on Saturday

The 6-7 McGriff leads OSU in scoring (12.5) and rebounding (7.4) with four guards chipping in between 8.3 and 11.9 PPG. Junior guard Lindy Waters III scored 19 points against the Mountaineers, freshman Isaac Likelele (team-high 4.0 APG) added a season-high nine assists and the 6-7 Yor Anei (7.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, Big-12 leading 2.5 blocks) scored 16 points and added eight blocks - a program record for a freshman.

TCU has played exactly seven players in each of its last six games. The starting guards are Bane (15.2 & 5.5) and PG Robinson (12.7 & 6.9 APG). Up front, the 6-7 Noi (14.1 & 4.8) and the 6-8 Miller (11.0 & 6.5) surround 6-11 center Samuel (7.2 & 7.0). Bane scored a career-high 34 points in Saturday's win at Texa. Senior Alex Robinson earned third-team all-conference honors (led Big 12 in assists) while sophomore forward Kouat Noi was named honorable mention all-conference selection.

The teams split the season series with TCU winning at home 70-68 on a running fadeaway jumper by JD Miller with one second left back on Feb 6 and the Cowboys pulling off a 68-61 triumph 12 days later. The winner of this game will face top seed Kansas State on Thursday, so while tonight's loser is out, the winner will likely be gone by Thursday night. Then again, TCU does own two wins this season over a good Iowa St team (20-11) and the Horned Frogs would almost assure an at-large bid by beating the Wildcats. First things first. Expect TCU to handle OSU "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on New Mexico at 4:30 ET.

The Wyoming Cowboys enter the MWC tourney as the No. 10 seed. They finished the regular season with an 8-23 overall record, including 4-14 in conference play. League play was tough for the Cowboys, as they started 0-5, 1-8 and 2-14, before finally picking up back-to-back wins for the first time to finish the regular season. The New Mexico Lobos enter the tourney as the No. 7 seed, finishing the year with a 13-17 overall record that includes 7-11 in conference play. New Mexico finished in a three-way tie with Colorado State and Boise State but won the No. 7 seed  on a head-to-head tiebreaker. The Lobos split their first six conference games before losing SEVEN of their next nine. New Mexico won back-to-back game but then lost to these same Wyoming Cowboys in its regular season finale 88-81 in Laramie.

Wyoming is one of the nation's lowest-scoring teams, averaging 65.7 PPG (327th) and depends almost solely on 6-7 guard Justin James. He leads the team in scoring (21.8), rebounding (8.6) and assists (4.4). The only other double digit scorer is fellow guard Hendricks (10.9). The Lobos have way more talent. Mathis (14.7) is the team's leading scorer and is joined in the backcourt by McGee (9.0). Four frontcourt players average between 8.9 and 12.5 PPG. The 6-9 Jackson tops in scoring at 12.5 PPG and the 6-10 Bragg grabs 9.3 RPG (he had 22 & 20 at Wyoming in the recent loss).

These teams just met this past Saturday (see above), as Wyoming, which averages just 65.7 PPG on 41.8% shooting (302nd), scored 88 points while shooting 51.9% from the floor. NO chance that happens again here in Las Vegas. Note that New Mexico was a five-point favorite at Laramie and is barely more than that here, in a neutral setting. In this quick turnaround I'm "all over" New Mexico.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the LA Lakers (8:05 EST).

Fair or unfair, there’s tremendous pressure on LeBron James to bring a winning team to LA at some point. Most hoped or expected that to happen in his first season, but clearly that was an unrealistic goal.

And now an injury to Brandon Ingram and also guard Lonzo Ball has been shutdown. There was also a mid-season drama involving the possible signing of Anthony Davis and management offered almost the entire team in return. It’s been a difficult season for The King and the Playoffs are now likely just a “pipe dream” this season.

James is missing players for tonight’s game, but he’s not being asked to win a championship tonight, just to beat the 19-49 Bulls. LA’s had two whole nights off after a 120-107 home loss to Boston, but James will take it upon himself here to respond and take advantage of a Bulls team which fell 131-108 in Detroit on Sunday. 

The Lakers are still 12-5 ATS in their last 17 after two straight losses by ten points or more, while the Bulls are only 5-12 ATS this season as a home dog of six points or less.

I think James “goes off” tonight. Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Perfect Storm is on San Diego (11:30 EST).

The Toreros obviously won’t be going down without a fight today. In fact, with a tight spread like this, the outright victory is clearly not out of the question either.

San Diego has played well during the WCC Tournament, winning its first three games. The Toreros play with “double revenge” here as well after losing both regular season games to the Gaels.

Overall San Diego averages 72.6 PPG and it allows 68. Over their last three games though the Toreros have conceded an average of just 49.6 points. 

Saint Mary’s played well during the regular season, but it lost its regular season finale to Gonzaga to snap a five-game winning streak.

Saint Mary’s averages 73.5 PPG and they allow 65. Over its last four it’s conceded just 48.7. 

These teams are evenly matched. The Toreros though have the added incentive of double revenge. Also note that the Gaels are just 2-7 ATS in their last nine neutral site games, while San Diego is 4-1 ATS in its last five neural site affairs.

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Ohio (9:00 EST).

It’s the first round of the MAC Tournament and I’m expecting a battle until the end between these two hungry teams. Both teams struggled for the most part this year, but each closed well. NIU won its last two, while Ohio won two of three.

Also note that this is a prime “revenge” scenario for Ohio, who can avenge two regular season losses to the Huskies this year. The Bobcats average 70.4 PPG and they allow 73.6. Jason Carter leads the way with 16.5 points and 6.7 boards per game. Note though that Ohio’s defense has been much better of late, cone ding only 62.6 over its last three.

NIU averages 73.5 PPG and it allows 71.1. Eugene German leads the nightly charge with 19.6 points and 5.1 boards per game.

I’ll point out though that the Huskies are  poor 0-4 ATS in their last four vs. teams with losing SU records, while Ohio is 4-0 ATS in its last four following an ATS victory.

In a contest which I see coming down to whichever of these hungry schools has its hands on the ball last, I’m grabbing the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Brooklyn Nets (7:35 EST).

Purely from a situational stand point, I think this one sets up fantastically for Brooklyn and it’s become the basis of this particular selection.

These teams have split a pair of meetings earlier in the season, with each winning on its own floor.

The Pistons come in off five straight wins, but after completing the home and home sweep of Chicago just yesterday afternoon, I think Detroit finally comes in tired here in the second game of the back-to-back.

The Nets enter almost as hot with three straight victories. Brooklyn’s been off since Saturday night though and I think it’ll take advantage of this favorable spot. 

These two are in a dog fight at the lower end of the Eastern Conference ladder and home court advantage can not be overlooked as a very real deciding factor either in my opinion.

Additionally note that Detroit is just 11-13 ATS as a road underdog this year, while Brooklyn is 17-10 ATS this season vs. teams with winning records.

I’m laying the points and expecting a decisive home victory.

Good luck…Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker’s Error is on Wright State (7:00 EST).

It’s a semi-final matchup in the Horizon League in Detroit with the winner advancing to the title game on Tuesday.

Green Bay got here by getting the better of UIC 82-77, while Wright State smashed IUPUI 71-56. Wright State won’t be looking past the Phoenix obviously, as these teams split a pair of games in the regular season.

Previous to their win over UIC, the Phoenix lost two straight to end the regular season. Green Bay averages 81.2 PPG. Which is good. However, the Phoenix need to score a lot of point, because they allow 80.2. Sandy Cohen III leads the nightly charge with 17.3 points, 6.3 boards and 4.5 assists per game.

Wright State is on a mission though and it come in on top form still having won eight of its last nine. Billy Wampler had 18 points off the bench in its latest victory.

The Raiders average 73.8 PPG and they concede just 67.5. 

The Raiders are also 6-1 ATS in their last seven following a SU win, while the Phoenix are just 3-7 ATS in their last ten in the same position.

The Raiders’ defense is firing on all cylinders right now (just held IUPUI to 56 points) and I think Green Bay has difficulties here as well.

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Daytime Dominator is on the Orlando Magic (5:05 EST).

The Magic haven’t thrown in the towel yet in the weak East.

Orlando comes in off a 111-106 home win over the Magic in their latest contest. The Grizzlies are well out of the playoff picture, but they come in off a 114-104 home win over the Jazz on Friday. These teams haven’t played this year yet, but Orlando has won three straight in the series.

The Magic are currently just one game behind the Heat for the final playoff spot. Orlando averages 105.9 PPG and it concedes 106.8. Nikola Vucevic has been unstoppable for the last ten games with 20.9 points, 12.3 boards and 4.7 assists per game.

The Grizzlies looked poised for a letdown here after two straight wins. Overall Memphis averages 101.6 PPG, while allowing 103.8. Mike Conley averages 23.3 points and 5.6 assists per game. 

Orlando is clearly the “hungrier” team here. It has everything to play for. The Grizzlies have played well in two straight, but this is a team still looking for an identity and which is well out of a playoff spot.

Note as well that the Magic are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 when playing on one days rest, while the Grizz are a poor 18-38 ATS in its last 56 Eastern Conference opponents.

Play on Orlando.

Good luck…Larry